Nashville, Tenn. – A man has been arrested following a violent robbery at a South Nashville restaurant, authorities said. The incident, which took place on the evening of Sunday, February 9, involved a group of five masked individuals who entered the establishment with firearms and demanded money from the employees and customers.
According to Metro police, the robbery occurred around 9 p.m. at a restaurant located in the 4000 block of Nolensville Pike. Two employees and a customer reported that the suspects, armed with guns, aimed the weapons at them while searching their pockets and taking their cell phones. One of the masked individuals then approached the cash register, firing a shot at it in an attempt to open it, before using a crowbar to force it open. The suspect then handed the register to another individual, who fled the scene with it.
The suspects were seen arriving at the restaurant in a white Ford F150 and quickly returned to the vehicle after the robbery. Authorities later discovered that the truck had been carjacked prior to the crime.
On Tuesday afternoon, detectives from the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Violent Crimes Robbery Operations Team were conducting surveillance on the vehicle in the 300 block of Bakertown Road when they spotted the truck. Officers initiated a “tactical takedown” as all occupants of the vehicle, including 23-year-old Mario Martinez-Chavez, fled on foot.
Martinez-Chavez was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit and arrested. Police say that he was wearing the same clothing as he did during the robbery. Additionally, officers found keys to a carjacked Toyota Sienna in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Martinez-Chavez is currently being held in Metro Jail on a $157,000 bond. At this time, no further details regarding additional arrests have been made public.
The investigation into the robbery remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing to pursue leads to identify and apprehend the other suspects involved in the crime.
