Police investigate burglary spree targeting 11 Nashville Electric Service employee vehicles, with three pistols stolen

Break-ins reported at NES lot on 12th Avenue North

Metro Nashville Police are investigating a series of vehicle burglaries that hit a Nashville Electric Service (NES) parking lot early Friday, January 30, 2026, damaging 11 employee vehicles and resulting in the theft of three pistols.

Police were notified at about 6:20 a.m. after NES security reported the break-ins at the parking lot on 12th Avenue North. Investigators believe the vehicles were burglarized around 4 a.m. while the owners were working. Windows were smashed to gain entry, and at least three handguns were taken.

Police said a dedicated Vehicle Crimes team is handling the case and actively pursuing leads. No arrests were announced Friday morning.

Why stolen guns from cars remain a persistent Nashville problem

The theft of firearms from vehicles has been a recurring issue across Davidson County, and police have repeatedly warned that unsecured guns left in cars are a frequent target during overnight break-in sprees. In a December 2025 update, police reported that 947 guns had been stolen from vehicles in Nashville during 2025, representing the majority of guns reported stolen countywide that year.

Law enforcement has also described how vehicle burglaries can connect to broader public-safety concerns. Stolen guns recovered in later cases are sometimes found during unrelated arrests or in vehicles tied to other crimes, and police have linked vehicle break-ins and stolen autos to patterns that include reckless driving and other offenses.

What investigators will likely focus on next

In burglary cases involving multiple vehicles in a single location, detectives typically work to establish a timeline and identify any suspect vehicle movements near the scene. The condition of the vehicles—particularly shattered windows—can also help investigators determine whether the break-ins were rapid “smash-and-grab” thefts aimed at easily removed valuables.

Because firearms were stolen, investigators will also seek identifying details such as make, model, caliber and serial numbers to ensure they are entered into law-enforcement databases used during traffic stops, calls for service and evidence recovery.

What police are urging residents to do

• Lock vehicles and remove valuables from view.
• Do not leave firearms in cars; if temporary storage is unavoidable, secure them in a locked container designed for vehicles.
• Report suspicious activity immediately, especially overnight prowling or repeated car-alarm activations.

As the investigation continues, police have not released suspect descriptions or surveillance images and have not indicated whether the NES lot has been targeted previously.