Serial Restaurant Thieves Arrested After Chase: Police

NASHVILLE, TN -- Two men with criminal records chockablock with felonies were arrested early Saturday following a two-county car chase sparked by a restaurant break-in.

Mt. Juliet Police were called to an apparent burglary in progress at Don Pancho Mexican Restaurant around 12:15 Saturday morning. Officers said two men fled from the scene in a truck that had been reported stolen, heading toward Nashville, when they arrived on the scene.

The men crossed Percy Priest Lake and weaved their way to South Nashville, where Metro Police say they ran a red light, hitting a minivan, at Nolensville Pike and Thompson Lane. Two people in the minivan were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and the two suspects were uninjured and arrested.

A Mt. Juliet Police officer also had minor injuries.

Police did not immediately identify the arrestees but said they believe they are connected to a rash of restaurant break-ins across Middle Tennessee. Both have lengthy criminal histories and one of them has 19 active felony warrants.

Photo via Mt. Juliet Police