NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A local restaurant owner has asked for help to identify a suspect caught on camera illegally dumping tires into the restaurant’s dumpster.
The crook has been targeting small Mom and Pop businesses, and it has threatened the future of a well-known local pizza parlor.
Bellshire Pizza has been serving Italian food on Dickerson Road for more than 40 years.
Owners of the ma’ and pa’ operation told NewsChannel 5 the nasty tires dumped in their garbage was a lousy combination with their pizza.
"It's a terrible thing to tell you the truth. I really hate it," said Lenny Norris, Bellshire’s owner.
He said he's a pizza chef not a waste disposal expert; so, he was forced to pay to get rid of the mound of tires.
"It ends up being hard on the business owner," said Norris.
The illegal delivery of more than 30 used tires showed up in the Bellshire lot Monday night, but it wasn’t the first time. Others nearby reported the same problem.
"We've got so much money trying to keep our business afloat," said Norris who added that the bottom line was always tight.
The dump was caught on Bellshire’s surveillance video. It showed a dark green colored Suburban pull into the lot. Then a white male tossed tire after tire in and around the dumpster.
The suspect's face was fuzzy, but Norris hoped someone recognized the vehicle.
"I can't believe people just unload their stuff. It makes you mad," said Norris.
Bellshire recently moved to a new location on Dickerson Pike. Norris said it took time for clientele to follow, but business has picked up.
Still, Norris, like other merchants, can't afford to keep paying for the removal of dumped debris.
