Nashville’s ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ fugitives: Week of May 1, 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Nashville Police Department is continuing to try to track down a number of wanted fugitives, including 10 who are considered the city’s “Most Wanted.”

The police department’s list of “Top 10 Most Wanted” fugitives is updated every Wednesday on the Criminal Warrants Division’s Facebook page . Officials said those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the “most violent” offenders in the city.

Of the suspects on this week’s list, all but three are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated burglary and criminal impersonation.

The newest addition to the list is wanted after being indicted on multiple assault charges. Some of the suspects on the list, including many who are believed to have been involved in homicides, have been on the run for years.

A man accused of vehicular homicide was also added back to the list this week as police continue to search for his whereabouts in connection with a deadly October 2022 crash.

However, the “Most Wanted” list has aided police in several arrests since its launch in October 2022. In total, at least 107 wanted fugitives have been taken into custody since then, stacking up to a nearly 78% arrest rate.

One of the most recent arrests was that of 42-year-old Jennifer Urbina , who’s alleged neglect and abuse of a child in May 2023 resulted in “serious bodily injury to the child.” Officials said the child was only a few months old at the time.

While Urbina turned herself in to authorities, investigators said tips from the public have aided them in several other “Most Wanted” arrests. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police department’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” list the week of May 1, 2024.

1. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith

At number one, Lagarrion Blacksmith , 35, is considered this week’s “Top Most Wanted” fugitive, according to the MNPD. Blacksmith has remained at the top of the list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.

He was initially added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.

Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.

According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.

Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.

However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 .

2. Jaylen Bender

Jaylen Bender, 22, is a new addition to the list this week. Police said Bender was recently indicted by a grand jury on charges for aggravated assault with intent and assault with bodily injury. His last location is unknown.

3. Raceme Crutcher

Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher , 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting .

Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.

Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.

Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. However, Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.

4. Michael A. Yarlett

Michael Yarlett, 29, is wanted on three counts of aided and abetted rape, according to police.

Court documents indicate he is one of two suspects in the incident, which happened in September 2022. Yarlett was added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 22, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.

5. Ladonte J. Groves

Ladonte Groves, 23, was added back to the list on April 3 after first being featured among Nashville’s “Most Wanted” on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.

The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

6. Adrian Abernathy

Adrian Abernathy, 30, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North .

Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report.

According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed and Abernathy was the one driving the car.

Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch.

Abernathy has been featured on the “Most Wanted” list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list this week after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.

7. Mateus B. Alves

Mateus Alves, 18, is wanted for one count of rape, according to authorities. Court records show he was arrested for DUI about a month ago. However, officials said his last location is unknown. Alves was added to the “Most Wanted” list last week.

8. Anthony O. Etuk

Anthony Etuk, 51, is wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of solicitation of a minor, police said. Etuk first appeared among Nashville’s “Most Wanted” last week. He was last seen in Mt. Juliet.

9. Ricky C. Roach

Ricky Roach, 43, who was the subject of a massive manhunt in Cheatham County in 2022 , is wanted by police after being indicted on multiple charges out of Davidson County.

Those charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary acting in concert and theft of property less than $250,000. Court records show those offenses date back to March 4, 2022 — only about two months before he escaped from corrections officers at an Ashland City hospital.

At the time, Roach was reportedly serving jail time in Cheatham County for a parole violation. Cheatham County court records indicate that Roach has previously pled guilty to charges for robbery, assault, theft and contempt of court.

After hours of searching, the May 26, 2022, manhunt ended when a reserve off-duty Ashland City police officer spotted Roach and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.

Following his arrest, Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ken Miller told News 2, “I’ve been dealing with Mr. Roach for quite some time, pretty much my whole career here actually.”

Now, Metro Nashville police are looking for Roach in connection with more alleged crimes across county lines. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

10. Joseph Cavaleri

Joseph Cavaleri, 39, is wanted by the MNPD on outstanding warrants for five counts of burglary, three counts of theft of property, criminal impersonation and four counts of failure to appear. Cavaleri was added to the list on Feb. 7. Authorities said he was last seen in the Central Precinct.

Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.