Police capture man they say fled after stealing $2,000 donation jar

DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A man police say stole a donation jar containing $2,000 from a restaurant is now in custody.

Christopher Gooch

Christopher Aaron Gooch was arrested around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday in Dickson after police received a tip after releasing a vehicle description, according to Lt. Todd Christian with the Dickson Police Department.

Gooch previously had been seen in Camden where police say he escaped by breaking through a motel room wall before fleeing from the back of the building.

Police say Gooch was captured on surveillance video stealing a donation jar from a Dickson restaurant.

Gooch is accused of trying to pay for a meal with a stolen card Friday at a Dickson restaurant.When the card didn’t work, police say he then stole a donation jar from the counter that reportedly contained $2,000 for the family of a girl who died from burn injuries.

Police say Gooch later stole a car in Humphreys County and led police on a brief chase before escaping.

He then reportedly stole a truck from the motel in Camden. Officers later found the truck abandoned near Holladay.

Officers arrested Gooch Wednesday morning in Dickson.