‘Most wanted’ fugitive arrested after chase on Belmont University campus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The arrest of one of Nashville’s most wanted fugitives led to a large police presence at Belmont University Monday night.

On Monday, July 1, at around 7:35 p.m., 23-year-old Elijah Maitland ran onto the Belmont University campus to escape police, according to authorities.

Earlier that evening, police were called to a home on Blair Boulevard for a domestic dispute. The victim told police her ex-boyfriend knocked on her door.

The interaction was reportedly captured on video from the Ring doorbell and revealed that the man was one of the Metro Nashville Police Department’s 10 Most Wanted Criminals.

Officers said they were able to determine that Maitland had five arrest warrants for aggravated burglary, false imprisonment, domestic violence and two counts of interfering with an emergency call.

However, when police arrived at the Blair Boulevard home, Maitland was gone. The woman told authorities Maitland had no means of transportation, indicating he likely left the area on foot.

Investigators began searching the area for Maitland and later found him on foot near the Belmont University campus. When police saw a marked patrol vehicle, Maitland ran into a line of trees on campus, where they lost sight of him for a short time.

With the help of Belmont Security, who operated cameras, officers eventually found Maitland hiding in a bush. He was taken into custody on his outstanding warrants and another charge of evading arrest.

According to police, Maitland apparently had no contact with Belmont students, faculty or visitors and did not attempt to enter any buildings on campus.

His previous charges stem from another domestic incident in which he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home through a window and refused to leave. In an arrest affidavit, officers said Maitland tried multiple times to stop the victim from calling 911. At one point, he snatched a knife from her and slashed his own hand.

Following Maitland’s arrest on Monday evening, Belmont University sent a statement to students and faculty. The full statement can be found below.

At approximately 7:35 p.m., a suspect fled from MNPD and ran onto campus. The suspect was quickly apprehended near the Bell Tower with the assistance of Belmont Security. You will see a larger than usual police presence on campus tonight, but there is no ongoing threat to the campus community.

Belmont University

Records show Maitland was booked into jail around 8:51 p.m. Monday night. As of Tuesday, July 2, he was still behind bars on $10,500 bail. He is now one of at least 120 “Most Wanted” fugitives taken into custody since the program began in October 2022.

Investigators attribute the program’s success largely to tips they’ve received from the public. Click here to view Nashville’s current Most Wanted Fugitives list.