Convicted felon facing charges in Franklin pharmacy robbery

Update: Welsch's case was bound over to the Williamson County grand jury. They will next meet Dec. 7.

A Spring Hill man, who has a criminal history dating back to 1969, is expected in Williamson County court this afternoon on charges he robbed a CVS Pharmacy in May.

Douglas Welsch, 59, was identified as a suspect after DNA evidence found at the scene linked him to the crime, Franklin Police said.

Police say Welsch, who was wearing a dust mask to cover his face, entered the CVS Pharmacy on Liberty Pike in Franklin just before 10 p.m. on May 11. He allegedly approached the pharmacy counter and presented a robbery note threatening gun violence if staff did not comply with his demand for the powerful prescription pain medication Oxycontin.

Witnesses provided police with a description of Welsch’s getaway vehicle. Officers pursued the vehicle that in a frantic effort to evade authorities, nearly hit several vehicles and pedestrians in a nearby Walmart parking lot.

Welsch, a convicted felon on parole out of Texas, got away but was later arrested on aggravated robbery and felony evading arrest.

He is being held in the Williamson County Jail on $20,000 bond.