Auto Theft detectives since Friday have recovered eight stolen Honda and Acura sedans and have arrested a Tennessee Tech University student believed to have been a leader in a pull-a-part chop shop.
Aaron Preston Battle, 18, of Lakeridge Run, was charged early Saturday with four counts of auto theft. Additional charges against him are expected as the investigation continues. Cookeville Police are investigating whether Hondas and Acuras recently stolen from Putnam County are linked to Battle.
On Friday afternoon, the landlord of a rental home at 252 Bonnacroft Drive discovered a stolen and stripped Honda Civic inside the basement garage (the tenant, an acquaintance of Battle, moved three weeks ago). Behind the house was a 1998 Honda Civic with the ignition defeated and the stereo missing. The landlord called police and undercover officers began watching the home to see who would come after the back yard Civic. Less than 30 minutes after the surveillance began, Battle and two friends appeared. Battle got into the Civic, drove it to a nearby apartment complex parking lot and left it, likely intending to retrieve it later. Battle’s two friends, Stephen Franklin, 20, and Rocky Hunter, 18, picked him up. Auto Theft detectives stopped the three in the 2400 block of Lebanon Pike and took them into custody.
During the investigation, detectives learned that six stolen vehicles were being kept in the rear of 201 Lisa Lane on property owned by Rocky Hunter’s grandparents. Three of the cars had been turned upside down and all had been stripped of at least some parts. The cars could not be seen from the road.
Auto Theft detectives believe Battle was selling the parts while keeping some of them to enhance vehicles for illegal street racing.
Stephen Franklin was charged with two counts of auto theft. Hunter was charged with failure to be booked on an outstanding driver license charge.
Most of the Hondas and Acuras were stolen during the past month from Hermitage and South Nashville apartment complexes.
The investigation has also led to the recovery of an engine from a stolen Honda. Another engine from a stolen Honda is known to have been placed inside another vehicle. That car has also been seized.
Auto Theft Detectives Billy Sharer, Randy Eatherly, Tony Bristol, Bill Dillon and James Brown worked on this investigation.
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