By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Five of the suspects in the early-morning break-in and robbery of a Paris gun store are now in custody in Clarksville.
Speaking from Clarksville this morning, Paris Police Captain Ricky Watson said witness reports are that five or six suspects were involved in the robbery at JMC Firearms at 1326 E. Wood St.
Watson said the robbery took place around 4:15 a.m. and a witness saw the suspects break through the window in the front door. They then took off and Paris Police tried to stop them, but they fled, driving through Stewart County and then into Montgomery County early this morning. Law enforcement from various jurisdictions were in pursuit all the way.
Watson said the suspects were finally stopped when law enforcement threw down spike strips on the roadway.
According to Clarksville Police, at least two of the suspects were taken in custody in the 1600 Block of Bevard. Some were seen running through Clarksville neighborhoods. The remaining suspects were arrested through the course of the morning.
Watson said the ATF is also involved in investigating the incident. He said more than one firearm was stolen in the robbery.
None of those suspects already in custody are from Henry County, Watson said. “All the ones that have been picked up so far are from the Nashville area. This has become an ongoing problem for law enforcement in the state of Tennessee the past couple of years with the gun restrictions.”
Photo: Repairs have already begun on replacing the window in the front door at JMC Firearms. (Cash Caldwell photo).