Authorities Searching for Suspected Wilson Co. Felon who Fled Hospital

 Wilson County Sheriff’s Office detectives, state and federal authorities are seeking any leads on a suspected felon wanted on numerous charges in Wilson County who apparently walked out of a Nashville hospital during a shift change.

WCSO arrested 36-year-old old Homero Quintanilla Navarro of 5001 Saundersville Road early Sunday following a series of events including a serious car crash, home invasion and burglary in neighborhoods near his home and assaulting WCSO deputies. Upon his arrest, he was immediately taken to Vanderbilt University Hospital Emergency Room under guard of WCSO until Monday when it was determined he was to be admitted for his injuries.

WCSO Chief Deputy Mike Owens said Wilson County officers followed protocol and faxed all the outstanding warrants for Navarro to Vanderbilt Hospital and Police, verified Vanderbilt received the information and left him under care of Vanderbilt staff as per hospital protocol.

“We are very perplexed by this series of unfortunate events,” Chief Owens said. “Our priority is for the safety of our citizens. Our hearts go out to the families who have been deeply affected by this escape. We ask anyone with any information on his whereabouts to please contact authorities. He is potentially dangerous as he is wanted for numerous felonies here including home invasion, assaulting our officers during his capture, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and drug charges along with others.”

Sometime between the time he left the emergency room and was admitted into the hospital Monday morning, Vanderbilt Police officer assigned to the hospital who had just come on duty at the hospital (who was apparently not notified of his outstanding warrants) saw an unidentified female enter the hospital and leave with Navarro. Vanderbilt authorities contacted Metro Nashville Police and began canvassing the area for the suspect. They notified WCSO approximately two hours after our deputy left failing to find Navarro.

For the past three days, WCSO, Metro Nashville and Immigration authorities have been searching for Navarro, contacting associates he has in the Nashville and Wilson County areas. He is believed to have fled the state, possibly toward the Southwestern part of the country. Law enforcement has been notified in numerous states along with U.S. Border Patrol. He has been entered nationwide NCIC for outstanding warrants. Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will extradite upon capture.

Navarro’s run-in with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office began Sunday upon receiving a call where Navarro is believed to have forced his way into a home in the area of Tyne Boulevard and Saundersville Road. During the reported incident, he forced his way into another home at Teton Dr. in Wilson Co. When Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home, he jumped out of the window. He fought with deputies, injuring at least two during his arrest.

WCSO also determined Navarro had previously crashed a Yellow H2 Hummer he was driving into a sign at a convenience store in a sharp curve at Tyne and Saundersville Road. Witnesses said the driver was travelling at a high rate of speed and struck the sign with such force, he uprooted a sign in the store parking lot from its concrete stabilizers.

After a search of Navarro’s vehicle was conducted, it was determined that alcohol and illegal narcotics were likely a determining factor in the crash and subsequent assault on the responding deputies. Deputies also recovered a stolen weapon and a large amount of cash and narcotics.

Anyone with information regarding Navarro’s whereabouts is urged to call WCSO at 615-444-1412, Crime Stoppers at 615-444-5245 to remain anonymous or a local law enforcement agency.