Robbery suspects to appear in court Monday on The Murfreesboro Post

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Robbery suspects to appear in court Monday

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By: MARIE KEMPH, mkemph@murfreesboropost.com

Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2011 12:00 am

A 28-year-old Smyrna man and two alleged accomplices accused of robbing a man in his home Sept. 25 are scheduled to appear in court Monday.

The three suspects have remained in custody since they were arrested Sept. 26, after Asa Gilbert led authorities on a high-speed chase.

Murfreesboro residents Alisha Rodriguez, 24, and Jerrell Gamble, 28, were arrested when Gilbert crashed his SUV just before 6 a.m., during the chase. Gilbert fled the scene on foot and was arrested a short time later.

Officials with the Murfreesboro Police Department, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and Smyrna Police Department all worked in cooperation to apprehend the suspects.

Rodriguez and Gamble have both been charged with aggravated robbery. Gilbert was charged with felony evading arrest and driving on a suspended license, in addition to aggravated robbery.

The three suspects allegedly assaulted a 37-year-old man at his home on East State Street, before stealing $300 and a computer, according to an incident report filed by MPD Officer Sean Leiser.

“Upon arrival, I made contact with the victim, who had a severe laceration under his left eye, and his left eye was swollen shut,” Leiser reported.

According to the incident report, the victim came to the front door of his home when he saw a woman he recognized standing on the porch at 4 p.m. As he began to open the door, two men forced their way into the residence.

One man then displayed a handgun and struck him in the face with it, stealing his wallet in the process. The two men proceeded to kick in the victim’s bedroom door and take a computer. The suspects then fled the scene in a silver Ford Expedition.

At 12:45 a.m. the following morning, a vehicle matching the description given by the victim was spotted outside of a business on Middle Tennessee Boulevard, according to an incident report filed by MPD Officer Jacob Fountain.

Fountain reported that he attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled, and Sgt. Bryan Anderson then ordered him to halt pursuit.

A few hours later, authorities with the Sheriff’s Office spotted the suspects again, prompting the chase.

“Cpl. Scott Martin spotted Gilbert’s vehicle and followed him,” said Lisa Marchesoni, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. “Sgt. Trent Givens and Martin tried to stop him. They pursued him onto State Route 840, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. The vehicle crashed on Mona Road and Gilbert jumped out and ran.”

Marchesoni said a driver who was unaware of the situation, picked up Gilbert and let him ride in the back of his truck.

However, the driver became suspicious and called police.

Smyrna police officers responded and took Gilbert into custody until deputies from the Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene.

Gilbert was then booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, alongside Rodriguez and Gamble.

The three suspects are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court at 8 a.m., where they will appear for a preliminary hearing regarding the charges.

Tagged under Crime, MPD, Murfreesboro, RCSO, Smyrna

Member Opinions:

By: chuck_c123 on 10/7/11
Good job to the officers!! Let this be a reminder to all the comment "kings and Queens" who think all police are bad. They risk their lives again for the safety of us! GOOD JOB!!