CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three suspects accused of "brutally attacking and stabbing" a homeless man outside a Murfreesboro hardware store were taken into custody Tuesday following a pursuit in Clarksville.
The assault happened just before 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24 in the parking lot of Kelton Hardware along Old Fort Parkway, according to the Murfreesboro Police Department. Officials said the victim was beaten and stabbed multiple times.
Employees called 911 after the victim reportedly crawled to the door of the hardware store, authorities said. However, the three suspects had already fled the scene by the time police arrived, sparking a search effort that spanned multiple days.
Then, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology reportedly helped Murfreesboro police track the three suspects to a location multiple counties away in Clarksville.
“Our Crime Data Analysts in our Real Time Crime Center were instrumental in apprehending these three individuals,” said Larry Flowers, the Murfreesboro Police Department's public information officer. “The vehicle was tracked on ALPR hits in Clarksville and CPD was notified.”
Officials said the suspects tried to evade members of the Clarksville Police Department, leading officers on a pursuit Tuesday afternoon. However, authorities were able to take two of the suspects into custody. The third suspect was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
One of the suspects was identified as 19-year-old Lamarious Nelson. Police have not released the names of the other two suspects because they are juveniles.
Nelson is being held at the Montgomery County Jail on attempted first-degree murder charges, and the minors will be taken to the Rutherford Juvenile Detention Center, where juvenile petitions for attempted first-degree murder will be served.
As of Tuesday, authorities said the victim was in critical but stable condition.