Neighbors in Bellevue are nervous after woman was attacked and robbed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – An empty box in Cortland Bellevue marks the spot where neighbors say thieves stole a fire extinguisher. Police say they sprayed it at a woman as she walked her dog around 5 p.m. Sunday. According to the police report, three men threw her to the ground and beat her, stealing her purse, car keys and phone.

“As a woman who lives here alone, it is not a nice feeling to hear about an attack. Especially with dogs in broad daylight, it is really brazen,” said a neighbor.

A witness said the men were sitting on the sidewalk just minutes before the incident and asked her for cash.

“It scares me that it could be me. I also deeply regret not calling anyone and reporting the incident because I might have been able to prevent it,” she said.

She wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

“They could have grabbed me at any moment then. And for some reason they didn’t. And if I had said something, maybe they would have run away and not hurt her,” she said.

Based on witness descriptions, the police were able to catch the thieves a few minutes later on the other side of the street. Two of them have been charged with aggravated robbery.

Officers arriving at the scene identified 22-year-old Queshon Demumbreum and 18-year-old Lamar Maddox walking along Old Hickory Blvd. and found the woman’s car keys in one of her backpacks. Her other belongings were found near the complex entrance in a ditch next to the walkway, police said.

Another neighbor says this could have been avoided if the entrance gate had worked. At the moment, anyone can drive in or out.

“In the three and a half years I’ve lived here, more has been broken than repaired,” she said. “I wanted to break my lease, but I’m not going to – I don’t feel safe anymore.”

Cortland Bellevue released a statement saying:

“We are aware of the incident that occurred in our community on June 9. The well-being and safety of our residents is always our top priority and we appreciate the quick response from our local law enforcement agencies. We have been working diligently to resolve the gate issues.”

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