Women targeted in string of robberies in south Nashville and Antioch

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For Janice Nichols, the Family Dollar on Nolensville Pike is convenient.

“The prices are very good and what I like about it is when I have to buy multiple gifts for people at church and our food program,” Nichols said. “It’s great that I can just come over here and buy it.”

She was shocked to learn a woman was robbed in the parking lot on Sunday afternoon in broad daylight.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said a 62-year-old woman was putting items in her car on Sunday afternoon when a car pulled into an empty spot next to her. MNPD said a man hopped out of the car and grabbed the woman and eventually stole her purse.

The woman hit her head on the pavement and was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“I’m really sorry about that. This is my neighborhood as a kid I’m 73 and I’m just so proud that we have this neighborhood,” Nichols said.

Police believe that the robbery is connected to three other incidents. Those happened on Packard Drive, Tusculum Road and Greenleaf Drive, earlier in November.

• On Nov. 28, at 6:40 a.m., a 27-year-old woman was leaving to go to the store from her apartment on Packard Drive when an armed man and a woman ran up to her demanding her purse. The victim complied and told police that she and her 8-year-old daughter, who was with her during the incident, ran back to their apartment.
• On Nov. 26, at 7:40 p.m., a 55-year-old woman was getting out of her car at her apartment in the 5100 block of Greenleaf Drive when a man and woman ran up behind her and assaulted her. Police said the suspects severely beat the woman with a metal object before taking her purse. The victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a severe laceration to her head.
• On Nov. 15, at 12:45 p.m. a 67-year-old woman was unloading groceries from her car at her home on Tusculum Road when a woman approached her and asked her for her money. When the victim turned away, the suspect allegedly pushed her and took the victim’s purse.

Police believe a man and a woman are behind these robberies traveling in this older white sedan.

MNPD said the male suspect was described as a short black man. In the incidents on Packard and Greenleaf Drive the woman was described as white. In the Tusculum Road and Family Dollar incidents, she was described as black.

“I look around the neighborhood and look and see what’s actually going on and if a car doesn’t look good I probably won’t get out,” Nichols said.

As an older woman, Nichols says that doubles the importance.

“At 73 I am an easy target for people because they know I’m not going to be able to fight but I’ll just give them whatever they want,” Nichols said.

MNPD is urging anyone with any information to call Crime Stopper at (615) 742-7463.

On Tuesday, Metro Police released photos of the suspect’s car. They said a white sedan with rear-end damage is believed to be part of the attacks.

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