The Nashville Police Department has requested the public's assistance in locating Ulises Martinez, 24, an accused auto thief and person of interest in the death of local restaurant owner Matthew Carney of Smokin Thighs. According to Nashville authorities, Carney was critically injured by a stolen pickup truck on June 19 at his restaurant, leading to his death on July 4.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Martinez following the connection made during the investigation into the auto theft incident. The vehicle was reportedly stolen from a Franklin Pike church. Having been seen attempting to flee by getting into the back seat of a car at a Bell Road motel, when detectives tried to apprehend him, the driver sped off. A chase ensued with an MNPD helicopter monitoring the situation until the car reached a dead-end gravel roadway in Williamson County, where Martinez managed to evade capture.
The events led to the arrest of two men; Francisco Martinez-Lopez, 25, was charged in Nashville with felony evading arrest, with his bond set at $2,500. Caught between Concord Road and Brunswick Drive, the second person, confirmed by fingerprints as Adrian Diaz, 31, is facing charges in Williamson County for evading arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia, with his bond set at $26,000.
The investigation continues as the Nashville Police seek information on Martinez's whereabouts. The community is urged to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 with any information, assuring potential informants that calls can remain anonymous and may result in a cash reward for the crucial details that lead to an arrest. In sharing details of the recent efforts to apprehend Martinez, Nashville authorities express a persistent effort to uncover the circumstances of Carney's untimely demise, for which Martinez is believed to have essential information.
