Image Credit: MNPD
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
An illegal immigrant teen already on probation for felony charges was arrested last month in Nashville on a number of new felony charges, including vehicle theft and gun charges.
17-year-old Nelson Garcia-Arevalo was arrested on May 24 and is charged with violation of probation, being a felon in possession of a handgun, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, and vehicle theft.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Garcia-Arevalo was seen driving a stolen black Hyundai Elantra that had been used in the robbery of a Dickson gun store on May 22. The vehicle was being monitored by an MNPD helicopter when officers saw him shoot a rifle from the driver’s side window.
Officers used a spike strip to puncture the tires of the vehicle, which Garcia-Arevalo continued to drive for five minutes before he and two others fled from the vehicle. Police were then able to capture him and the two 15-year-old passengers. The two minors are charged with vehicle theft, unlawful gun possession, and evading arrest.
A rifle and four pistols were found at the scene and additional guns were located in the woods near an apartment complex on Edmonson Pike. Dickson Police will be filing additional charges for the burglary of the gun store and theft of the guns.
Garcia-Arevalo was already on felony probation after being arrested last September when he was 16 for shooting at an undercover officer and a police helicopter. He was tried as an adult in criminal court and found guilty of felony aggravated assault and was given three years of probation.
Because he was already tried as an adult on the previous charges, the new charges will also be filed in criminal court, while the two passengers will be tried in juvenile court.
Inmate records show that Garcia-Arevalo is now being held on an ICE detainer.
He will remain in custody until he is released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An immigrant hold most likely means he is in this country illegally.
