HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — A Sumner County jury has convicted a man who targeted a couple after they visited a Nashville jewelry store, stealing a Rolex watch valued at approximately $30,000 from their vehicle.
Following a three-day trial that concluded June 25, Patrick Smith was found guilty of Theft of Property Over $10,000, Burglary of an Automobile, and Possession of Burglary Tools.
Prosecutors said the crime occurred on Nov. 11, 2023, after a married couple visited Genesis Diamonds in Nashville to have the husband’s Rolex appraised.
After leaving the jewelry store, the couple drove to Sam’s Club in Hendersonville. They left the Rolex, along with other personal belongings, inside a backpack in their Chevrolet Tahoe while they shopped.
When they returned, they discovered a window had been shattered and the backpack stolen.
Investigators with the Hendersonville Police Department determined the victims had been specifically targeted after leaving the jewelry store.
Surveillance footage showed a black Dodge Charger following the victims from Genesis Diamonds to Sam’s Club before parking nearby. After the couple entered the store, video captured a suspect leaving the Charger, approaching the Tahoe, and returning to the vehicle moments later before driving away.
Flock license plate reader cameras also captured both vehicles entering the parking lot seconds apart.
Detective Stephan Fye determined the crime fit a pattern known as “jugging,” in which thieves watch customers leaving jewelry stores, banks, or luxury retailers before following them and stealing recently purchased valuables from their vehicles.
Four days later, Detectives Fye and Thomas Holman returned to Genesis Diamonds to review surveillance footage when security personnel noticed a silver Lexus lingering in the parking lot under circumstances similar to those seen during the burglary.
The detectives devised a ruse by carrying a large Genesis Diamonds jewelry box to an undercover vehicle while loudly discussing an expensive purchase.
As expected, the Lexus began following them, trailing the detectives for approximately 22 miles from Nashville to Hendersonville.
Marked patrol officers stopped the Lexus, and Smith was identified as the driver.
During the traffic stop, officers recovered a window punch, cut-resistant gloves, a homemade license plate concealment device, and approximately $8,194 in cash.
Search warrants for Smith’s cellphones later uncovered photographs of the stolen Rolex, text messages discussing the watch, internet searches for Genesis Diamonds, Rolex watches, jewelry brokers, GT Chargers, and even searches for “Nashville jugging news.”
Following the guilty verdict, Criminal Court Judge Jennifer S. Nichols revoked Smith’s bond.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24, 2026, and faces up to 15 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
The Sumner County District Attorney’s Office praised Detectives Stephan Fye and Thomas Holman for their investigation, which led to Smith’s identification, arrest, and conviction.
