Man accused of robbing restaurant at gunpoint with group in South Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One man has been arrested after he is accused of robbing a South Nashville restaurant at gunpoint with a group of four others, according to Metro police.

According to court documents, on Sunday, Feb. 9, around 9 p.m., officers were called to a reported robbery at a restaurant in the 4000 block of Nolensville Pike.

Two employees and a customer reportedly told officers five individuals in masks entered the restaurant with guns and aimed the weapons at them. The suspects allegedly attempted to search the victim’s pockets and took their cell phones.

Officials said one of the masked individuals approached the cash register and fired a shot at it in an attempt to open it, before using a crowbar to remove it. The person allegedly handed the machine to another suspect, who left with it.

According to authorities, all of the masked suspects were seen driving up to the restaurant in a white Ford F150 and returning to the vehicle after the robbery.

Tuesday afternoon, detectives with the MNPD Violent Crimes Robbery Operations Team were conducting surveillance in the 300 block of Bakertown Road on the white Ford truck, which was found to have been carjacked before the robbery. Reports said officers began a “tactical takedown,” and all occupants of the truck got out and fled, including 23-year-old Mario Martinez-Chavez, who was seated in the backseat.

According to Metro police, Martinez-Chavez was caught and arrested after a brief foot pursuit. Authorities said at the time of his arrest, he was wearing the same clothing that was worn during the robbery, and keys to a carjacked Toyota Sienna were found in his possession. Martinez-Chavez is detained in Metro Jail on a $157,000 bond.

No details about additional arrests in this case were immediately shared.