Nashville’s ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ fugitives: Teen murder suspect sought by police
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A teen accused of murder and a serial auto theft suspect are the newest additions to Nashville’s list of “Most Wanted” fugitives.
The list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department Criminal Warrants Division’s Facebook page. According to detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the “most violent” offenders in the city.
Rape suspect arrested 1 day after appearing on ‘Most Wanted’ list
Of the suspects on this week’s list, all but three are wanted for either homicide or murder or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary and facilitating aggravated kidnapping.
One of the newest additions is among a growing list of teenagers who have been featured on the list. Currently, there are three teens on Nashville’s “Most Wanted.” Two are facing charges for especially violent crimes like homicide and murder.
In recent months, several rape suspects have also been added to the list, leading to two arrests just last week. Kendrick Horton, 25, was taken into custody a day after being featured on Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list.
According to authorities, Horton is believed to have sexually abused a minor who was just 12 years old when the crimes began. Michael Yarlett, 29, was also arrested last week — ending a manhunt that began after he and another man reportedly raped a 17-year-old in Sept. 2022.
Nashville’s ‘Most Wanted’: 1 of 2 suspects in 2022 rape in custody
In total, at least 123 “Most Wanted” fugitives have been taken into custody since the program was started in October 2022. Investigators have largely attributed the program’s success to tips they’ve received from the public.
Below is a list of the suspects who made the police department’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” list the week of July 24, 2024.
1. Adrian L. Cameron
At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this week’s “Top Most Wanted” fugitive, according to the MNPD. This is the eleventh week in a row Cameron has appeared on the list. However, police began looking for him in mid-April.
Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night.
RELATED: 1 killed, 1 injured in shooting along Hayes Street
Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. King’s friends told police it started out “cordial,” but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. That’s when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend.
Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later.
Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans’ murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021.
Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. He’s now charged with criminal homicide in connection with King’s death, as well as failure to appear.
However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Cameron’s whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
2. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith
Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.
He was initially added to the 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.
RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike
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.
3. Joshua Polledo-Negrin
Joshua Polledo-Negrin, 18, is a new addition to the list this week, and among a growing list of teenagers who have been featured on Nashville’s “Most Wanted.”
Officials said Polledo-Negrin is wanted on outstanding warrants for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He was recently indicted by a grand jury on both charges.
Court records show Polledo-Negrin has a criminal history dating back to October 2023, when he was charged with aggravated assault of a first responder and vandalizing government property. His last location is unknown.
4. Ladonte J. Groves
Ladonte Groves, 24, 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.
Owner of McKamey Manor charged with attempted murder, rape
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.
5. Diego Camaja-Santiago
Police are continuing to search for Diego Camaja-Santiago, 24, after he initially appeared on the “Most Wanted” list nearly a year ago on Aug. 16. He was added back to the list on June 12 after being indicted by a grand jury on several charges related to alleged sex crimes.
According to authorities, Camaja-Santiago has outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated rape with bodily injury, two counts of statutory rape and probation violation. His last location is unknown.
6. Edgar Monje-Alfaro
Edgar Monje-Alfaro, 24, is wanted by the MNPD after recently being indicted by a grand jury on two counts of statutory rape. Monje-Alfaro was added to the “Most Wanted” list on July 3. Officials said his last location is unknown.
7. 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.
RELATED: Man wanted after allegedly lying about driving stolen car involved in deadly crash
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 on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.
8. Thaddous S. Baskette
Thaddous Baskette, 30, is another new addition to the list this week. Authorities said Baskette is wanted on seven outstanding warrants for assault and theft-related charges.
The charges against him include aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, especially aggravated burglary, vehicle theft less than $60,000, two counts of vehicle theft less than $10,000, vehicle theft less than $2,500 and failure to appear.
Officials said Baskette’s last location is unknown.
9. Marisah D. White
Marisah White, 21, is wanted on outstanding warrants for robbery, two counts of facilitating aggravated kidnapping and theft of property, according to police.
Court records show she is one of two people involved in the alleged crimes, which took place more than two years ago on April 4, 2022. White was added to the list on June 19. Officials said her last location is unknown.
10. Joshua R. Starkey
Joshua Starkey, 19, is among some of the youngest suspects to appear among Nashville’s “Most Wanted”. Police said Starkey is wanted for one count of aggravated robbery with a weapon or object. He was added to the list on July 10. His last known location was in Hermitage.
CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee
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.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
