2 arrested after lengthy police pursuit

Metro police arrested two suspects after a lengthy police pursuit overnight that ended when the women's car got stuck in a parking lot off of Elm Hill Pike in Donelson and police had to force entry. Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said that shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday an officer attempted to stop a silver Oldsmobile Alero because police believed that the car and tags were stolen and that the suspects and/or vehicle possibly may have been involved in a robbery. The car did not stop for the officer and a pursuit began with speeds staying very low, Hickerson said. On Briley Parkway, speed reached 50 mph. Police were able to lay down spike strips two times, which deflated the suspects' tires, but the driver continued to travel with three of her tires flattened. After about 35 minutes police vehicles were getting in position to block the vehicle as they were in the Elm Hill Pike and Donelson Pike area. However, the Alero pulled into a parking lot at Airport Center Drive and Elm Hill Pike and then got stuck on top of a curbed dirt mound. Officers approached, telling both suspects to exit the vehicle, but they refused. Their doors were locked. Officers broke out windows and gained access to the suspects and took them into custody, Hickerson said.The driver faces charges of motor vehicle theft, theft of a tag, revoked driver's license, and felony evading. The passenger had an outstanding parole violation warrant. The suspects' names were not released. Police believe the women were using drugs prior to the pursuit.Police learned that the vehicle had not been involved in a robbery as earlier suspected.— LEIGH RAY (tennesean)

Metro asks Wackenhut for payments tied to laptop theft

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 15, 2008 Metro Nashville is asking a security contractor to reimburse the city for more than $840,000 for expenses related to a break-in last year at the Davidson County Election Commission. Metro Law Director Sue Cain wrote a letter Wednesday to Wackenhut Corp. attorney Jim Vines, a former United States attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Wackenhut was responsible for security at the election commission's building in December, when thieves stole two laptop computers containing the Social Security numbers of 337,000 voters. Wackenhut subcontracted with a Mt. Juliet firm, Specialized Security Consultants Inc. An audit later showed Wackenhut had billed Metro for some days when security guards didn't work at the Metro Office Building. Cain asked Wackenhut to pay the city $48,387 for the audit by Kraft CPAs; $21,575 for security services that were not provided; $235,757.35 for two mailings to voters, and $534,391.75 for the cost of providing identity-theft protection to more than 56,000 voters who responded to the city's offer to cover a year of free protection. "The expenditure of these funds was unexpected and has worked a hardship on the government," Cain wrote to Vines. Vines, an attorney with King & Spalding in Washington, D.C., said this afternoon that he had not seen the letter yet. Wackenhut continues to work for Metro, but Cain asked that the company explain in writing why the city shouldn't put the security contract out for new bids.