Teen Trio Arrested After Two-County Chase

NASHVILLE, TN -- Metro Police arrested three teenagers following a car chase that crossed Davidson County and the Sumner County line Friday.

A 50-year-old man told police he returned home to his Richards Road apartment shortly after 2 a.m. Friday and as he walking towards his building, a Ford Flex began slowly following him. He said then two young men -- one wearing a mask and carrying a pistol -- got out of the car and demanded money. When the victim replied he didn’t have any, he was pistol whipped on the head. The two suspects ran back to the car and left the area.

Shortly thereafter, a Metro officer attempted to stop the Ford Flex on Harding Place, but the driver sped away, according to police, leading to an interstate pursuit. Shortly before crossing into Sumner County on Interstate 65, the Flex hit a spike strip, blowing a front tire.

Goodlettsville Police picked up the chase and the Ford then traveled back into Davidson County, where MNPD officers again attempted to stop the robbery suspects. Eventually, the pursuit ended on Rainwood Drive. Two of the teenagers inside -- Markavious Battle, 16, and Jose Martinez, 17 -- bailed out and ran, according to police. A third teen, 17-year-old Eh Lay, remained on the scene and was arrested.

K9 Officer Haus and his human partner tracked battle to a nearby backyard, where he was arrested. Police say he had two guns - one reported stolen from a Mt. Juliet gun store and another from a vehicle break-in.

Martinez turned himself in later Friday and admitted to being the driver of the Flex, which is his mother's car, according to detectives.

Battle and Lay are charged with aggravated robbery and Battle faces additional charges of felony cocaine possession and gun possession during commission of a felony. Martinez is charged with aggravated robbery and felony evading.

Police say the trio remains under investigation for other recent South Nashville crimes.

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