A .22 caliber handgun that was stolen in Murfreesboro on Christmas Eve of 2017 has been recovered.

The Murfreesboro Police Gang Unit was sitting outside of an apartment complex when they saw a subject whom they recognized as a gang member of the Gangster Disciples, according to a police arrest report. They witnessed the man walk into one of the apartment units and decided to do what is called a "Knock and Talk."

When contact was made with one of the residents, officers say they could smell marijuana. A protective sweep of the apartment was then made where they located suspected gang member Davarius Bates.

A search warrant was then obtained with the approval of Rutherford County Judge Lisa Eisheid.

Once returning to the apartment on Swanholme Drive, 1 gram of cocaine, 4 hyrdrocodone pills, 5 amphetamine pills and marijuana were located. Officers also found a .22 caliber firearm that was behind the living room couch. The gun serial number returned as being stolen in Murfreesboro on Christmas Eve of 2017. Police found a second handgun in a basket above the toilet.

A National Crime and Information Center Database search showed that Bates had three state warrants for evading arrest, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The 27 year old also had a Violation of Parole warrant out of Wilson County.

While drug charges were not filed against Bates, he was served the outstanding warrants and charged with being a felon while in the possession of a firearm.

29 Year old Koltyn Walters was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and drug possession (X2).

Source:

MPD ARREST 18-17230A,B