$1,000 price tag on info leading to two Kroger crooks; (615) 794-4000

Franklin Police have released surveillance video of two women who walked out of a Kroger with $260 in stolen groceries.

It happened at the Cool Springs Kroger, 2020 Mallory Lane, on 02/19/2015 at 2:25pm. The women scanned and bagged the groceries, and then asked where the store’s ATM was. The women then left with the groceries without ever paying. Included in their theft were several packs of Marlboro brand cigarettes.

Information on the identity of these women is worth up to $1,000
with one, simple, anonymous call to
Crime Stoppers: (615) 794-4000.

5 rescued from human trafficking; 7 arrested on multiple charges following massage parlor raids in Franklin

An investigation led to the execution of six search warrants at two businesses and four apartments this morning in Franklin. Seven people are under arrest, five people have been taken in and are being assisted by End Slavery Tennessee, six vehicles and nearly $100,000 in cash has been seized.

An in-depth investigation, prompted by citizen complaints, into suspicious activity at the Oriental Massage Center located at 400 Sugartree Lane led to today’s operation. The owner, Guoku Hu, owns a second massage parlor in Franklin, Capital Chinese Foot Spa Massage at 4149 Mallory Lane. Significant prostitution activity and other violations were uncovered at both locations during detailed surveillance operations.

Details of arrestees and their charges are featured below:

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Also charged: Yan Feng Wang (Photo not available) | Date of Birth: 09/18/1982 | 938 Cook’s Court Brentwood, TN 37027 | Impersonation of a Licensed Professional | Bond: $25k | Court Date: 03/12/2015

“Franklin is a special place and we intend to keep it that way,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “Anyone who thinks they can come here and set up this type of operation better think again. Our officers and detectives will continue to be aggressive in cracking down on prostitution, patronizing prostitution, and other crimes that impact our quality of life.”

Homeland Security, the FBI, TBI, the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and End Slavery Tennessee all assisted with today’s operation. This investigation is far from over, and additional charges are expected.

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Happening Now: Massage parlor investigation leads to raid of 2 businesses, 4 apartments; Arrests are expected

An investigation by Franklin Police has led to the execution of six search warrants at locations across Franklin.

An in-depth investigation, prompted by citizen complaints, into suspicious activity at the Oriental Massage Center located at 400 Sugartree Lane led to today’s operation. The owner, Guoku Hu, owns a second Franklin massage parlor, Capital Chinese Foot Spa Massage at 4149 Mallory Lane. Significant prostitution activity and other violations were uncovered at both locations during detailed surveillance operations.

Search warrants are currently being executed at both massage parlors, along with four Franklin apartments associated to the businesses. Today’s operation is being supported by Homeland Security, FBI, TBI, and the organization End Slavery Tennessee.

Several arrests in this case are anticipated today. A press conference has been scheduled for 11:15am at the strip mall located at 4149 Mallory Lane, across the street from Centennial High School. 

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Franklin Police Seeking Witnesses to Monday’s Tragic Double Fatality; Video shows treacherous conditions

The investigation into Monday night’s crash that took the lives of Kristi Clark and her 10-year-old son, Carter Oakley, leaves those who knew them troubled, and investigators still searching for answers.

On 02/16/2015, Kristi and Carter were struck and killed by a semi after getting out of their vehicle to help five people in an overturned SUV that hit a patch of ice on I-65S at mile marker 64.4. Kristi and Carter’s selfless actions in the midst of someone else’s emergency will not be forgotten by our officers, or our community.

Anyone who may have seen events prior to, during, or after the crash are asked to call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513. Crash investigators want to hear from anyone who may have information that will help piece this tragedy together, no matter how small it may seem, please call.

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IRS Pretenders Leverage Fear by Threatening Jail & Property Seizure; Police warn residents: hang up, report

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Along with several law enforcement agencies across the U.S., the Franklin Police Department frequently receives citizen reports of IRS impostors threatening arrest and property seizures unless they pay up.

Fact: These calls are not coming from the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service will never demand payment over the telephone. Typical IRS communication comes in the form of U.S. Mail. If you receive a phone call that you suspect is a tax scam, hang up and report it to your local law enforcement agency and the US Treasury, Office of Inspector General: (800) 366-4484.

To help avoid becoming the victim of a scam, Franklin Police recommend never transferring funds through third-party wire or card services before first calling an official, listed telephone number for the company with which you are doing business.

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Police car hit on I-65 after motorist spins out, slides into crash scene; Officer treated and released

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A Franklin Police Officer is recovering at home after his squad car was struck by an I-65  driver who spun out after hitting a patch of ice. The officer was in his car at the scene of a crash on I-65S near mile marker 59.9 when he was hit last night at 9:40pm. The officer was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. He is expected to be off work for about two weeks.

This morning, main roads in Franklin are generally passable, though some are very slippery – which can make stopping and turning a challenge. If you have to get out, be sure to keep your speed well-below the posted speed limit, and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you.

Franklin family coping with tremendous loss after two tragically killed in weather-related crash

Update: 1:38pm 02/17/2015: The other two people hurt in this deadly, tragic crash have been upgraded to stable condition.

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It is with heavy hearts that we share the names of the 34-year-old mother and her 10-year-old son killed in last night’s tragic I-65 crash in Franklin.

At 9:17 Monday night, Kristi Clark and her son, Carter Oakley, were struck by a semi after they got out of their vehicle to help five people in an overturned SUV that had hit a patch of ice on I-65S at mile marker 64.4. Carter died at the scene; his mom, Kristi, was pronounced dead a short time later at the Williamson Medical Center.

Two of the five people in that SUV were injured. They were transported to the hospital with critical injuries. They remain in serious condition.

“Kristi and her son, Carter, are heroes,” said Franklin Police Chief Deborah Faulkner. “These Good Samaritans put themselves in harm’s way to help a stranger. The goodness in their hearts that prompted them to do that will never be forgotten.”

Right now, the family deserves time, their privacy, and our prayers – and we sincerely hope that members of the community and the press will give them those three things.

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2 Good Samaritans Killed in Tragic I-65 Crash

The Franklin Police Department’s Critical Incident Response Team is investigating a very serious crash on I-65 that has claimed two lives.

At 9:17 Monday night, officers were called to 65S at mile marker 64.4, approximately one mile south of Murfreesboro Road, where it was reported that a semi had flipped onto a passenger vehicle. Traffic investigators were able to determine that an SUV hit a patch of black ice, and rolled over. A mother and her young son who saw what had happened stopped to help. They were both outside of the vehicle when they were struck by a semi; the child died at the scene, and his mother was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time ago.

Five people were in the SUV that rolled over after hitting a patch of ice. Two passengers from that SUV were critically injured, the other three were not hurt.

Travel remains extremely dangerous, and people are urged to stay off of the roads until conditions dramatically improve, which will not likely be anytime soon. The scene remains active at the time of this release, and southbound I-65 traffic must exit at Murfreesboro Road.

Our hearts are heavy for the families affected by this terrible tragedy.

Two, including former teacher, indicted on child sex charges in Franklin

Two Franklin men are free on bond following their indictments this week for child sex crimes, in two unrelated cases.

Charles Oakes Date of Birth: 11/28/1959 303 Hanley Lane Franklin, TN 37069

Charles Oakes
Date of Birth: 11/28/1959
303 Hanley Lane
Franklin, TN 37069

Charles Oakes, 55, of Franklin, was indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after an in-depth police investigation led to the discovery of numerous pornographic images of children on his computer. Oakes was a local teacher when the investigation began. Oakes has also been charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He is free on a $25,000 bond.

Guna Vadlapati Date of Birth: 12/12/1970 1231 Broadgate Drive Franklin, TN 37067

Guna Vadlapati
Date of Birth: 12/12/1970
1231 Broadgate Drive
Franklin, TN 37067

Guna Vadlapati, 44, of Franklin, was indicted on 4-counts of the Aggravated Sexual Battery of a child. Investigators determined that Vadlapati repeatedly molested the child of a family friend over a period of several months. He is free on a $100,000 bond. Both men face a Circuit Court Judge on 02/23/2015 at 9am.

Chief Deborah Faulkner said, “Those who sexually exploit or abuse children will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “These types of offenders have our full attention.”

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Stop for Speeding Leads to Major Counterfeiting Arrests

Christian Ospina Date of Birth: 07/11/1989 10913 NW 43rd Street Sunrise, FL 33351

Christian Ospina
Date of Birth: 07/11/1989
10913 NW 43rd Street
Sunrise, FL 33351

Two Florida men remain jailed this morning after a stop by a Franklin Police Officer for speeding turned into a case of counterfeiting.

On 02/11/2015, an officer stopped Christian Ospina for traveling 80mph in a 70mph zone on I-65N near Murfreesboro Road. A search, prompted by the smell of marijuana, led to the discovery of more than $1,000 in high-quality counterfeit bills. Officers also discovered approximately $3,000 in legitimate money, believed to have been change from small purchases made with counterfeit $100 bills.

Konrad Laverde Date of Birth: 09/27/1988 3761 SW 59th Street #102 Davie, FL 33314

Konrad Laverde
Date of Birth: 09/27/1988
3761 SW 59th Street #102
Davie, FL 33314

During a preliminary investigation, officers determined that Ospina and his passenger, Konrad Laverde, travelled across the United States spending tens of thousands of dollars in counterfeit money on items that would later be resold. The two have also been wiring money, out of the Country, to Colombia.

Charged with Criminal Simulation, both men remain jailed on $100,000 bonds. They are due in court on 02/26/2015 at 1pm. Franklin Police and the Secret Service are working together on the continuing investigation.