LEBANON, Tenn. — What started as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a major arrest after officers discovered a stolen gun, a stolen vehicle, and a wanted suspect behind the wheel.

On Monday, a Lebanon Police officer noticed a silver Dodge pickup truck traveling along Highway 109 displaying what appeared to be a fake temporary tag. The tag showed an issue date of November 25, 2025 — more than a month in the future.

After pulling the vehicle over, officers confirmed the tag was fraudulent. The driver, a 38-year-old man from Antioch, was found to be unlicensed and also had an active warrant for his arrest out of Nashville.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a handgun that had been reported stolen in a 2019 vehicle burglary in Smyrna. Further investigation revealed that the Dodge pickup itself had been stolen just two days earlier from Antioch.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and now faces multiple charges, including possession of stolen property, driving without a license, and displaying a fraudulent tag.

Local law enforcement officials praised the attentiveness of the officers involved, crediting their alertness and proactive work with removing another wanted offender and stolen firearm from the streets.

“We’re grateful for the alertness and thorough work of our officers who continue to keep our community safe every day,” the department shared in a statement.