NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The owners of La Hacienda on Bell Road are recovering after they were injured during a robbery on Tuesday night.
Metro police said 34-year-old Keenan Ty Cook is accused of robbing the restaurant with a knife. According to Metro police, Irma Torres was manning the cash register when Cook walked into the restaurant and ordered a taco. Her husband Gustavo Torres then went to the back of the building to ring up the order as Irma Torres opened the cash register.
This is when police say Cook went behind the counter and brandished a knife that Irma Torres believed was a firearm. He reportedly grabbed cash from the register. Police said in fearing for the safety of the patrons, Irma Torres and Cook got into a scuffle over the knife until she realized her hand had been cut. Gustavo Torres then came back after hearing a scream and tackled Cook as he tried to run away. Police said a patron also threw a chair at Cook.
Gustavo Torres was stabbed in the abdomen and lower back during the struggle. Police said a large group of customers followed Gustavo Torres and Cook outside and held him down until officers arrived.
One of the employees took a video of the chaos before police arrived. Warning: Graphic content and language.
Police said when they arrived the group identified Cook as the suspect. Officers found a large pile of cash lying within reach of Cook. Metro police said "due to the chaos of the situation" Cook was immediately placed into handcuffs.
Officers noted that Cook had a large amount of blood on his shirt but it was determined he was not injured.
Cook was booked into jail on a charge of especially aggravated robbery. His bond has been set at $150,000. Metro police said Cook previously pleaded guilty to two other robberies in the Nashville area.
Irma and Gustavo Torres were taken to the hospital for treatment and are expected to be OK. According to the couple's son, Gustavo Torres wounds were not to any internal organs.
