UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS News) - A report of a suspected credit card skimmer at a Murfreesboro gas station led to a police response, a brief neighborhood search, and a pursuit that ended across town near Veterans Parkway and I-840. It all unfolded on Tuesday morning between 9 AM and 11 AM.
The incident reportedly began at the Raceway gas station on Highway 231 South, directly across the highway from Murfreesboro Medical Clinic. The gas station is in front of the newly built Tiger Hill town-home community, which plays an important role in this story.
According to information from the scene, someone at the gas station allegedly saw an individual remove or install what appeared to be a card-skimming device that looked to be fixed to the payment terminal on a gas pump. Those devices are often designed to capture credit or debit card information and, in some cases, PIN numbers from unsuspecting customers using the pump. A manager at the gas station confirmed the incident, roped off the gas pump that the man was at, and quickly called police.
After the suspicious activity was reported, a police officer was on the scene within a matter seconds. The first officer was able to locate the suspect vehicle nearby.
The individual allegedly left the gas station in a black SUV and drove into the nearby Tiger Hill subdivision, located directly behind the business. The vehicle reportedly stopped briefly in front of one of the town-homes, despite the driver having no known connection to the residents at that address.
That decision apparently did not help the SUV go unnoticed. With a mix of ongoing construction and residents, Tiger Hill has limited parking in front of the homes, and a large black SUV parked along the roadway stood out quickly in the newly developed neighborhood. In fact, one of the HOA rules is to not park on the sidewalk, or in front of homes. Had the suspect of known the person he was supposedly visiting, he would have known that guest parking sat a mere 25-feet away. Making the situation worse for the suspect, the neighborhood has only one entrance and exit, located in front of the neighborhood.
The Murfreesboro Police officer who located the SUV, pulled in behind it to speak with the driver about the incident reported at the gas station. Instead of remaining at the scene, the driver allegedly fled the neighborhood. MPD reported, “When the first officer arrived on the scene attempted to make contact, the driver nearly ran over the officer and sped away.”
The SUV left the Tiger Hill subdivision with a Murfreesboro Police unit behind it. The driver traveled toward Highway 231 South, also known as South Church Street, before turning onto Joe B. Jackson Parkway. Officers continued the pursuit as the vehicle made its way toward I-840 and Veterans Parkway. By the time it reached the Blackman area, roughly 15 miles away, multiple units from the Murfreesboro Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office had joined the chase. Despite the increased law enforcement presence, the driver continued briefly before finally stopping near I-840 and Burnt Knob Road. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver was immediately taken into custody.
Motorist should always inspect gas pump terminals before inserting a card. Customers should look for loose card readers, broken security seals, unusual attachments, or anything that appears different from nearby pumps. When possible, paying inside the store or using a credit card instead of a debit card can offer added protection.
Anyone who believes their card may have been compromised should contact their bank immediately, monitor transactions, and consider requesting a replacement card.
Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name or the full list of possible charges connected to the reported skimmer and pursuit. Additional details are expected as the investigation continues.
