Accused auto thief on run for a month after allegedly killing restaurant owner during theft
An illegal alien who was on the loose after a judge dismissed prior charges against him has now been arrested for killing a beloved restauranteur during a hit-and-run in Tennessee, according to reports.
On June 19, two suspects passing through the parking lot of Smokin Thighs in Nashville stopped to steal tools from a vehicle belonging to the eatery’s owner, Matthew Carney, Fox 17 reports.
Carney emerged from the business and confronted the suspects, who struck him while fleeing the scene.
Carney, 42, succumbed to his injuries at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on July 4.
On July 11, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced 24-year-old Ulises Martinez was wanted for questioning in connection with the homicide, and also said a warrant had been issued for his arrest in connection with the theft of a pickup truck on the same night as the hit-and-run.
Ulises Martinez, 24, is a suspected auto thief who is also wanted for questioning in the death of Smokin Thighs restaurant owner Matthew Carney. Martinez ran into a wooded area Wed in Brentwood and evaded arrest. See him? 615-742-7463. More here: https://t.co/WgknCBVDpw pic.twitter.com/WvTELfuJzT
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 11, 2024
“On Wednesday afternoon, Specialized Investigations Division detectives working to locate Martinez spotted him get into the back seat of a car in the parking lot of a Bell Road motel. When detectives tried to stop the vehicle, the driver took off at a high rate of speed,” MNPD explained in a press release.
“An MNPD helicopter monitored the car as it pulled into a dead end gravel roadway in the 9700 block of Concord Road in Williamson County. The three occupants of the vehicle fled into the woods between Concord Road and Brunswick Drive. With the assistance of Brentwood Police, two of the men were apprehended. Martinez was not.”
MNPD said 31-year-old Adrian Diaz, who is believed to have been involved in the killing of Carney, was arrested at the time and charged with evading arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On July 18, MNPD tracked Martinez down and arrested him at a motel near Nashville International Airport.
He was charged with criminal homicide and evidence tampering.
BREAKING: Through further investigation today by the MNPD Homicide & Traffic Units, Ulises Martinez at his hour is being charged with criminal homicide and evidence tampering in the death of Smokin Thighs restaurant owner Matthew Carney. pic.twitter.com/mNlQ30kOU2
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 18, 2024
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed Martinez is an illegal alien from Mexico.
“ERO New Orleans placed an immigration detainer on Ulises Raigoz-Martinez, 24, an unlawfully present Mexican citizen, following his arrest in Davidson County, Tennessee, for homicide, vehicle theft, and evading arrest on July 19,” ICE told Fox 17 this week.
We know a judge dismissed some crimes he previously committed back in March. @FOXNashville
— Karen Aguilar (@KarenAFox17) July 24, 2024
Fox 17 has also learned that prior charges against Martinez were dismissed by a judge in March.
An investigation is ongoing.
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