A Nashville man police say was hustling for money outside a Nashville convenience store was arrested Wednesday night.

William Buchanan, 36, of Country Meadow Drive, was in the parking lot of the Mapco at Stewarts Ferry Pike and McCrory Creek Road at 1 p.m. holding a plastic gas can asking passer-byers for money, said police.

Buchanan had cut out a portion of the gas can and hid a loaded .357 pistol inside, added police. 

Hermitage resident Christopher Smith, 25, told police officers that he was standing outside of his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when Buchanan approached and asked for cash.  Smith declined to gove Buchanan any money and told him move on, noted police.  Smith’s response angered Buchanan to the point where he pulled out his pistol and ordered Smith into the truck, detailed officers in a statement. 

Smith’s friend, Kerry Anderson, 31, was already in the passenger seat. Smith was forced to sit in the middle as Buchanan, gun still in hand, got behind the wheel and drove off, according to police.
         
Two Metro Police Officers were in prime position and noticed a struggle inside the truck. The officers hit their lights and sirens and got behind the truck as it pulled over onto the shoulder of McCrory Creek Road. Buchanan tossed the pistol out of the window and was placed under arrest.
         
During questioning by Metro Detectives, Buchanan admitted to hanging around the parking lots of gas stations asking for money.  He indicated the victims in this case made him angry by not giving him any cash.
         
Buchanan is being held on $150,000 bond.

Buchanan is no stranger to Metro Police. In January Buchanan was arrested on three felony drug charges and was out after posting $15,000 bond. He also has two other DUI arrest on record. Alert Officers Make Arrest Shortly After Armed Kidnapping