Police: Man with gun hid in woman's backseat while she was inside a Nashville gas station

While she was driving alone Friday night, a man with a gun emerged from hiding in the backseat of a woman's car in Nashville.

He'd shoot her, the man said, if the 22-year-old didn't drive where he instructed.

Police in Nashville are attempting to identify the suspect, who fled after the woman sped back to the gas station she had just left and the man jumped from the vehicle.

According to Metro Nashville Police Department, Midtown Precinct detectives are investigating the case that began in the parking lot of a Shell convenience store at 5455 Nolensville Pike, where they say the man entered the woman's unlocked car while she was inside the business.

Police say the woman parked her vehicle in front of the store around 9 p.m. and went inside for roughly 10 minutes.

After she got back into the car and began to drive westbound on Hickory View Drive, the man jumped up from the back seat, told her he had a weapon and to drive.

She initially complied, but then accelerated, made several sharp turns at a high speed and returned to the gas station.

Police on Monday evening released surveillance photos of the suspect, and asked anyone who recognizes the man to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or submit a tip online at nashvillecrimestoppers.com.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.