A Texas man who allegedly robbed two stores at Hamilton Place mall on Saturday was taken into custody after police chased the suspect on Interstate 75.
Mark Glen Applegate, 43, of Houston, was charged with theft over $10,000, two counts of aggravated robbery and evading arrest after he robbed the Toys R Us and Marshalls on Hamilton Place Boulevard, according to a Chattanooga police report.
The car he was caught in was reported stolen in Texas.
Chattanooga police responded to the Toys R Us robbery around 5:15 p.m., the report said.
Police were told that a white male approached a cashier with two shirts and pretended he wanted to purchase them. He then told the cashier to give him all the money from the drawer and implied that he was armed, the report said.
The cashier gave the suspect money, police said.
Witnesses identified the suspect’s vehicle as a gray or silver Nissan Altima with a Texas license plate, the report said.
Police were notified of a second robbery shortly afterward at Marshalls. The suspect again brought two shirts to a cash register and demanded money, police said. The employee complied and the suspect fled.
Off-duty officers observed the suspect’s vehicle and followed it after notifying dispatch and patrol officers, the report said.
After briefly stopping for police, the suspect sped toward Interstate 75, police said.
A pursuit of the vehicle continued north on Interstate 75 until the suspect stopped, the report said. The Cleveland Police Department and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the chase.
Upon the end of the chase, Mr. Applegate was taken into custody without further incident, police said.