Yaki Sayles

A male suspect who led police on a foot pursuit after allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint near the Middle Tennessee State University campus was quickly apprehended Sunday before dawn at a home near downtown Murfreesboro.

The robbery occurred just before 1 a.m. near the intersection of Frisco Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department incident report.

Yaki S. Sayles, 19, allegedly rode up on a bicycle, pointed a gun in the man’s face, and stole more than $300 worth of electronic devices as he was walking home.

The man was then forced to turn his back to Sayles, who then gave him a few seconds to run away from the area. The man fled and notified police at a Walgreens Pharmacy on Mercury Boulevard.

Several officers then began canvassing the area, at which point Sayles was spotted near East Main Street. Although the Illinois native fled when he saw police and ignored orders to stop running, officers soon caught up to Sayles, who was hiding underneath a home in the 500 block of East Sevier Street.

After the man positively identified him, Sayles was taken into custody and charged with aggravated robbery and evading arrest, according to a Police Department arrest report.

Sayles was transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where he was held on a $9,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Sept. 12, in General Sessions Court.

Elder abuse suspect arrested

Police have apprehended a 38-year-old woman wanted on an elder abuse charge after receiving an anonymous tip that she was residing at Nottingham Apartments in Murfreesboro.

Cherita C. Irby, who is facing one count of felony elder abuse, was arrested July 12 just before 8 p.m. at the apartment complex, located on Greenland Drive, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department arrest report.

Additional information regarding the charge, as well as the investigation, was not included in the report.

After being taken into custody, Irby was transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where she is being held without bond. A preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court has not yet been scheduled.

Woman raped by man while on date

Detectives are investigating allegations by a 19-year-old woman who reported July 11 that she was raped inside her residence at College Grove Apartments while on a date with a Murfreesboro man.

The incident occurred June 26 at her apartment, located in the 1500 block of New Lascassas Pike, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department incident report.

The suspect is described as a heavy set, black male named “Norman,” and he is believed to originally be from East Tennessee.

As of Wednesday, the suspect had not been charged in connection with the incident, and the matter remains under investigation.

Man accused of trying to molest girl

A man is facing multiple charges after being arrested July 10 on suspicion of allegedly trying to molest a 12-year-old girl while she slept on a couch inside a Murfreesboro home.

Enrique R. Martinez, who did not have any legal documentation confirming his age, has been charged with the attempted rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department arrest report.

Further information regarding his residency status was not immediately available.

The girl told police she woke up when Martinez, who lives in the 1400 block of Bentley Street, began fondling her inappropriately and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him.

However, she was able to defend herself against Martinez, who then fled the scene.

During an interview with detectives at the Police Department, Martinez allegedly admitted that the girl was telling the truth, at which point he was taken into custody and transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held on a $150,000 bond.

Martinez is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on the charges Thursday, Aug. 9, in General Sessions Court.