Attempted kidnapper turned in to police by stepfather

(From Channel 2 News): The man that tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl outside an Old Hickory convenience story on Friday is now in jail.

Metro police arrested 27-year-old Matthew Harber after his stepfather called police late Friday night after seeing a surveillance photo on television.

Harber is being charged with attempted especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual battery and is being held on a $200,000 bond.

According to reports, officers responded to Harber's home on Lakeshore Drive and took him into custody.

Harber admitted to a detective to grabbing the 12-year-old by the shoulder and putting his hand over her mouth. He also admitted to grabbing the girl's breast.

Harber let the girl go when the victim's friends screamed and the market clerk came outside to intervene, police said.

Harber is already on Tennessee's Sex Offender Registry for a 2006 sexual battery conviction in Dickson County.

No Trick. No Treat. Franklin Police, Area Law Enforcement Surprise Sex Offenders

Operation RAVEN

In 28 days, thousands of Williamson County children will leave the safety of their homes, destined for the homes of others where the familiar phrase “trick or treat” will be the evening theme. In preparation for that night, 31 law enforcement officers from six agencies left Franklin Police Headquarters today, destined for the homes and workplaces of registered sex offenders who live or work in Williamson County. 

The Franklin Police Department’s Special Victims Unit coordinated Operation RAVEN (Random Address Verification, Enforcement, & Notification), supported today by officials from the Brentwood and Spring Hill Police Departments, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, State Probation and Parole, and U.S. Marshals. Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal Thomas Thompson joined Chief David Rahinsky at today’s briefing. Thompson expressed the importance of the mission, and commended area law enforcement agencies for their coordinated efforts. “The Marshals Service is proud to take part in today’s compliance check. We recognize the importance our communities place on ensuring registered sex offenders are in compliance, and I commend Franklin Police for coordinating today’s operation.” 

There are 121 registered sex offenders who live or work in Williamson County. Today, 76% of them were verified to be in compliance with restrictions. Twenty offenders were not found at their listed home or work address today, but investigators will be re-visiting those locations in the coming days. Following today’s operation, investigations into nine possible violations have been initiated. 

Franklin Police Chief David Rahinsky said, “Protecting the children of our community is a top priority. Working with partner agencies, today’s operation and our ongoing efforts tremendously support that priority.” Registered sex offenders who are currently on State probation or parole are prohibited from decorating their homes for Halloween, wearing costumes, or passing out candy. Franklin Police Officers will be out in force, keeping a watchful eye on those homes this Halloween to help ensure compliance with restrictions.

Information about registered sex offenders can be found on the TBI’s website:http://1.usa.gov/Q8CfmP

Just Busting

   A concerted two-day effort to verify the addresses given by 262 of Davidson County’s registered sex offenders revealed 49 possible violations of the sex offender registry law. Sex Crimes detectives will be conducting investigative follow-up and will swear out arrest warrants as necessary.

   On May 16 and 17, teams of officers and detectives from the Sex Crimes Unit, the East & Madison Precincts, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and representatives of the Tennessee Board of Probation & Parole fanned out and knocked on the doors of addresses provided by sex offenders during their required registration meetings with law enforcement.

   Similar checks will be conducted in the coming months.

   Undercover detectives assigned to the department’s seven precincts charged 146 persons last week, with mostly drug and prostitution offenses, as the result of investigations in various Nashville neighborhoods.
   South Precinct detectives charged 24 persons as the result of investigations on Margo Lane, Antioch Pike, Hamilton Church Road, Murfreesboro Pike, and Hart Street.  Seized were 92 grams of marijuana, 2.5 grams of cocaine, one gram of heroin and 107 pills.
   Hermitage Precinct detectives charged 29 persons as the result of investigations on Fairfield Avenue, Murfreesboro Pike, Lafayette Street, Matterhorn Drive, Creekwood Drive, Fowler Street, Anderson Road, and Lincoya Drive.  Seized were 9.6 grams of cocaine, 8.47 ounces of marijuana, 67 pills, three weapons, two vehicles and $10,980 cash.
   West Precinct detectives charged 21 persons as the result of investigations on Charlotte Pike, Morrow Road, 8th Avenue South and White Bridge Road.  Seized were five grams of cocaine, 20 grams of marijuana, 28 Soma pills, 16 Xanax pills, 57 Dilaudid pills, three grams of psychedelic mushrooms, one gun and one vehicle.
   North Precinct detectives charged 15 persons as the result of investigations on Russell Street, Dickerson Pike at Trinity Lane, Leawood Drive, the 500 block of Harding Place, and Wren Road.  Seized were 5.2 grams of heroin, 29.3 grams of cocaine, 72 pills, two vehicles and $1,239 cash.
   Madison Precinct detectives charged 20 persons as the result of investigations on Gallatin Pike, Old Hickory Boulevard, Dickerson Pike, and Tucker Road. Seized were two pounds of marijuana, six grams of cocaine, 20 Lortab pills and ten OxyContin pills.
   East Precinct detectives charged 18 persons as the result of investigations on South 5th Street, Main Street, Dickerson Pike, Trinity Lane, Porter Road, Litton Avenue, and Pennock Avenue.  Seized were .7 grams of cocaine, 24 Lortab pills, 10.7 grams of marijuana and $167 cash.
Central Precinct detectives charged 19 persons as the result of investigations on Spring Street and Jefferson Street.  Seized were over two ounces of cocaine, two grams of marijuana, four vehicles and $317 cash.
   Persons suspecting drug activity in their neighborhoods are urged to call the police department’s 244-DOPE hotline. Callers to the hotline can remain anonymous.