Eddie Martinez, 31, has been charged with false imprisonment, vehicle theft, and evading arrest after taking a woman's car without permission at a Waffle House in Davidson County. The incident occurred last Thursday night when Martinez, who knew the employee from high school, drove off in her vehicle, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
The 34-year-old woman was working at the Waffle House when she stepped outside to her car, where Martinez entered unexpectedly. He claimed he needed the car to "get away" and persuaded her to sit in the passenger seat. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department used the victim's phone to track the car, leading to a pursuit across multiple counties. Police from two counties and Wilson County Sheriff's Office deputies joined the chase, which ended in Mt. Juliet after spike strips were deployed.
During questioning, Martinez explained that he took the car due to paranoia, believing people were "after him." The victim confirmed his paranoid behavior. After his arrest near I-40, Martinez crashed into a Smyrna police vehicle before eventually surrendering to officers, as per the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department release.
Martinez is being held with a bond set at $47,500. He has a history of similar offenses, having been convicted of aggravated robbery and kidnapping in 2012.
