Officer Injured as Stolen Vehicle Case Unfolds Friday Morning
ORLINDA / CROSS PLAINS, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A case involving multiple stolen vehicles from multiple counties unfolded rapidly Friday morning in Robertson County, ending with a violent struggle inside a convenience store that left a police officer injured.
The investigation began when deputies responded to a suspicious person call on Hwy 52 in Orlinda, TN. Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Nashville, TN. During this same time period, a truck (also alleged to be stolen) ran into a ditch near Church Street and Willow Street. Sergeant Domingo Davaloz with the Cross Plains Police Department responded. The suspect ran on foot, and Davaloz briefly followed, but the suspect got away.
While that situation was still part of the active investigation, another call came in. Around 8:50 a.m., police were called to Terry’s Market on Highway 25 East at East Robertson Road regarding two men wearing thin ski-style masks inside the store. Sergeant Davaloz and Lieutenant Bart Posey with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office responded.
According to Cross Plains Police Chief Stanley Hilgadiack, when officers arrived, they located two males and split up, each addressing one suspect.
According to Hilgadiack, the suspect that Sergeant Davaloz pursued resisted, leading to a violent struggle inside the store. Chief Hilgadiack said the suspect, now identified as 29-year old Joseph Edward Farmer of Springfield, allegedly tried to run through Davaloz but was stopped by Davaloz. The two wrestled, knocking over chairs and moving tables. At one point, Chief Hilgadiack said, Davaloz was put into a headlock.
After breaking free from the headlock, Davaloz pulled his Taser. Chief Hilgadiack said Farmer then complied, so the Taser was not deployed, and Farmer was handcuffed.
Chief Hilgadiack said five customers witnessed the fight, and store cameras captured the scuffle. During the struggle, police say Farmer damaged police and personal equipment. $212,000.00
Farmer was charged with possession of stolen property, manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing a Schedule VI drug, unlawful drug paraphernalia, resisting stop or arrest (two counts), vandalism, and assault against a first responder, Class E felony. All charges are set for General Sessions Court on April 13, 2026. Farmer’s bond has been set at $212,000.00.
According to Robertson County EMS Director Brent Dyer, Davaloz was taken as a level one trauma patient to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. Chief Hilgadiack said Davaloz also suffered cuts to his cheek, elbow, and left hand. A CT scan showed injuries to his neck. He was told to remain off duty for the next week. Davaloz has since been released from the hospital.
The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office says the overall investigation led to a total of five suspects being charged in connection with multiple stolen vehicles in Robertson County. Deputies linked the suspects to a vehicle stolen out of Nashville, as well as two others stolen from Orlinda and Adams.
They face multiple charges, including theft of property, burglary, drug possession, forgery, and criminal impersonation, depending on the individual.
BONDS:
27-year-old Christian Hutcherson of Springfield, BOND $200,500.00.
29-year-old Matthew Holcomb of Springfield BOND $80,000.
20-year-old Jasmine Gregory of Springfield BOND $43,000.00.
Joseph Farmer of Springfield (listed above).
28-year-old Rachel Kinnard of Madison BOND $33,000.00.
All five suspects are being held at the Robertson County Detention Facility in Springfield, Tennessee. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“With the diligent work of the Sheriff’s Office team and the assistance of the Cross Plains Police Department, five criminals were removed from our streets, and 3 stolen vehicles were recovered and returned to their rightful owners. Our great county has no place for thieves who want to take other people’s property,” stated Sheriff Michael Van Dyke.
