Nashville Police Capture ‘Most Wanted’ Rape Suspect Hiding in Trash Can Using Thermal Imaging
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 26-year-old man who had been on Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list for months is now in custody after a police helicopter’s thermal camera revealed his hiding spot inside a residential trash can.
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed the arrest of Kevin D. Haynes on Sunday night in an East Nashville neighborhood. Haynes had been sought on a statutory rape indictment and had evaded authorities for several months before officers spotted him in a parking lot over the weekend.
According to police reports, Haynes fled on foot after being identified, prompting a search of the surrounding residential area. The department deployed its “Air One” helicopter to assist officers on the ground. The helicopter crew utilized thermal imaging technology to scan the area for heat signatures in the dark.
Footage released by the department shows the moment the flight crew pinpointed the suspect. The thermal video displays two trash cans sitting side-by-side behind a fence. While one can appeared cool and dark on the monitor, the other was glowing bright white and red, indicating a significant heat source inside.
“He’s in the trash can,” a crew member can be heard saying over the radio to officers on the ground. “The one on the left side is glowing red hot.”
As officers on the street approached the specific bin identified by the air unit, the pilot added a moment of levity to the tense situation, telling the ground team, “I owe you dinner. I like ribeye steak.”
A group of three officers approached the container and successfully apprehended Haynes without further incident.
Following the arrest, the Metro Nashville Police Department released a statement highlighting the effectiveness of their aerial surveillance technology. “Haynes quickly learned that a trash can is not a good place to hide when there’s an MNPD helicopter with a thermal camera above,” the department stated.
Haynes is currently being held on the outstanding statutory rape indictment. Authorities have not released details regarding any additional charges related to his flight from police.
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