DONELSON, Tenn. — A series of break-ins at a vacant home under renovation in Donelson’s Bluefields neighborhood has left a local builder frustrated and on edge. Maddie Wyatt, co-owner of Wyatt Design Build, has been working alongside her husband on a property in the area when they began encountering persistent security breaches, some of which were captured on surveillance cameras.
The first incident occurred on April 2 around 10:36 p.m. when a man was seen lurking around the house. The footage shows the suspect breaking a window and spending time inside, unlocking other windows before fleeing the scene in a white van. When Wyatt and her husband arrived at the site, they confronted the man, who claimed he had run out of gas and was on his way to a nearby neighbor’s house. He left the property empty-handed, but the damage had already been done.
“The whole situation feels unusual for this area,” Wyatt said. “I haven’t experienced this level of disruption in this part of town before, and I just want people to be aware that this is happening.”
Less than a week later, another break-in occurred. This time, the suspect arrived on a bicycle and used a crowbar to force entry into the house. He was seen stealing plumbing pipes before riding away from the scene. Wyatt and her husband later discovered the stolen items hidden in a nearby trash can behind a shed on the property. After a brief search, they managed to recover some of the stolen goods.
“My husband noticed the stuff had been tossed into the trash can,” Wyatt said. “It was a relief to get it back, but it’s frustrating that we even had to deal with this.”
The Metro Nashville Police Department has launched an investigation into both break-ins, but as of now, the suspects remain at large. Wyatt expressed her hope that the authorities will soon identify the culprits and put a stop to the ongoing thefts. She noted that the situation is particularly disheartening as she and her husband are working hard to create homes for their clients.
“It’s disheartening because I’m building homes for people,” Wyatt said. “It’s supposed to be a positive experience for my clients, and this just disrupts everything. It feels horrible.”
As the investigation continues, Wyatt urges local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. With surveillance footage now in the hands of the police, there is hope that the break-ins will soon be resolved and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
