The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has closed a stretch of interstate highway to investigate a suspicious vehicle that witnesses said was playing audio similar to the one played prior to the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville.
Rutherford County dispatchers received a call Sunday morning about a white box truck parked at Crossroads Market in Walter Hill outside of Nashville. Deputies closed the road and evacuated nearby residents.
“Sheriff’s deputies in Rutherford and Wilson Counties are investigating a box truck parked at a convenience store playing audio similar to what was heard before the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville,” Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh told the Washington Examiner. “The driver traveled from Rutherford County into Wilson County where he was stopped by deputies and detained.”
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says it’s on scene of white box truck parked at convenience store on Hwy. 231 South in Wilson County “playing audio similar to what was heard before the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville.” Driver has been detained. pic.twitter.com/0o2WJKkyN2
— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) December 27, 2020
Authorities sent a robot to investigate the truck.
Robot approaching box truck on Murfreesboro Rd. @WSMV pic.twitter.com/Fe1hFLNU1j
— Brittany Weiner (@brittweinerTV) December 27, 2020
Law enforcement has not commented on the status of the investigation, but officials could be seen around the truck without extra protective gear after a robot removed an item from the truck, suggesting that a threat was not detected.
Agents are now working around the truck without bomb suits, likely indicating everything is safe. pic.twitter.com/JlK4IPCcxu
— Brittany Weiner (@brittweinerTV) December 27, 2020
No explosives were found in the vehicle, according to News 4 Nashville. Rutherford County officials are expected to provide an official statement soon.
BREAKING: no explosives found in truck. Scene is clear. Rutherford Co. investigating the incident and should give an official statement soon. Road should be opening soon. @WSMV
— Brittany Weiner (@brittweinerTV) December 27, 2020
The driver of the truck, identified as 33-year-old James Turgeon, was arrested and charged with two felony counts for filing a false report and an additional charge for tampering with evidence after he “damaged the speaker system wiring intentionally.” He is being held on $500,000 bail, according to CBS News.
Church members, store customers heard a box truck driver play audio Sunday similar to the audio heard before the Nashville explosion.@RCTNSheriff charged driver James Turgeon with filing two false reports and tampering with evidence.
Thanks to our 1st responder partners.— RCTNSheriff (@RCTNSheriff) December 28, 2020
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
