The Mt. Juliet Police Department has announced the arrest of 18-year-old Santos Velasquez following a dangerous incident. MJPD says it started with an attempted traffic stop on Interstate 40 and escalated into a series of crimes.

Velasquez was reportedly out on bond for serial burglary and evading arrest in Nashville. He was also wanted out of Rutherford County for multiple violent offenses, including kidnapping, sexual battery, and aggravated assault.

The 18-year-old was taken into custody after a crash and foot pursuit. Around 5 p.m. on Monday, the suspect reportedly passed an MJPT officer on I-40 East near the 224 mile market at a higher rate of speed. Due to safety concerns, the officer did not initiate a chase.

Moments later, dispatch received a report of a crash near the 227-mile market. Authorities say Velasquez had sideswiped a truck and trailer causing his vehicle to lose control and crash into the grass median.

MJPD says Velasquez threatened a bystander with a knife while running through a parking lot along Belinda Parkway. Authorities say Velasquez was spotted running through the Meridian Apartments where he was taken into custody.

A 16-year-old female from Gallatin was a passenger in the crash vehicle. She was unharmed and cooperated with officers, according to authorities. Velasquez is facing the following charges.

• Felony Evading
• Misdemeanor Evading
• Reckless Endangerment
• Reckless Driving
• Child Endangerment
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash
• Aggravated Assault
• Driving on a Revoked License

He was wanted in Rutherford County for Aggravated Sexual Battery, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Stalking (2 counts), Aggravated Assault (2 counts), and Aggravated Domestic Assault (2 counts). He has been booked into the Wilson County Jail.