Tennessee Couple Barricades Thieves Inside Store, Shares Impact of Crime on Local Community

A Tennessee couple played a crucial role in preventing thieves from fleeing a store by barricading them inside. Their actions highlight the rising crime rate in Nashville and its impact on the local community.

Cody and Angela Campbell, a Tennessee couple, were shopping at Tanger Outlets in Nashville's Antioch neighborhood when four alleged burglars wearing hoodies and medical masks began robbing a Perfumania store. Angela captured video footage of bystanders, including Cody, holding the store's door closed, effectively trapping the suspects inside.

Angela recounted that her son, who had been shopping in the store, alerted them to the robbery. She and Cody, who were at a nearby store, immediately rushed to help. "I just instantly was like, 'Okay, I got to record this,' Angela said. "I don't know what I just did. And yes, and we were just holding them in, waiting on the cops to come."

Cody, driven by a sense of duty, joined the others in blocking the door. "Something kicked in, and I walked down there and started helping him hold the door," Cody said. "I think anybody would do it if they had somebody yelling for help."

Inside the store, the alleged burglars attempted to escape by smashing the back door open with a stepladder. However, their efforts proved futile, and they resorted to breaking open the wall next to the back door. Despite the bystanders' valiant efforts, the perpetrators managed to escape before the police arrived.

"There were probably three different people that called the cops, and we kept waiting and waiting," Angela said. "It took 30 minutes, and by that time, the shoplifters were able to break through the sheetrock out the back, and they escaped."

Cody expressed concern about the potential impact of the crime on the community. "This is a really pretty place. It's got a lot to do, but I don't want to go back there if that's what's going to happen," he said.

The Campbells' actions serve as a reminder of the growing crime problem in Nashville. The city has seen a significant increase in property crimes, including shoplifting and burglary. Law enforcement officials are working to address the issue, but community support and vigilance are crucial.

The incident at Tanger Outlets highlights the importance of bystanders stepping up to help in emergencies. The Campbells' quick thinking and determination to prevent the thieves from escaping helped to protect the store and its employees. Their actions are a testament to the strength and compassion of the Nashville community.