Franklin Businessman Offers $100,000 Reward in Burglary
Chuck McDowell is offering a cash reward for the return of watches and other items taken from his Franklin home during a multi-hour break-in.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Property Crime
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Franklin businessman Chuck McDowell has offered a $100,000 reward for the return of items stolen from his home on Saturday, Oct. 24. Suspects entered through a broken window and spent over four hours inside the residence.
Why it matters
The reward signals the value of the stolen property and the owner's determination to recover it, and it may prompt tips from the public. Franklin police are continuing the burglary investigation.
Franklin police are actively investigating the burglary, and no arrests have been reported. The $100,000 reward is being offered for the return of the stolen items, though the reporting does not specify its conditions.
The players
Chuck McDowell
A Franklin businessman known for radio advertising about timeshare cancellations and for donating to the Metro Nashville Police Department's Christmas Basket Program.
Franklin Police Department
The local law enforcement agency investigating the burglary at the McDowell home in Franklin, Tennessee.
The details
Two hooded suspects entered the home through a broken window and wore gloves while attempting to open a safe, with a screwdriver left stuck out of its top. They took watches, sprayed black paint on the home's lights or cameras, and tore up drawers and other items during the break-in.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 24: Break-in discovered at the McDowell home in Franklin after the family returned from a Florida vacation.
Nov. 2: McDowell publicly offers the $100,000 reward for return of the stolen items.
Legal Context
Residential burglaries involving high-value personal property and safe-cracking attempts are investigated under Tennessee's theft and burglary statutes, which distinguish between entry into a dwelling and theft of property. Cases like this one often rely on surveillance footage and property tracing to identify suspects.
Franklin residents are reminded that burglars targeted a home while the owners were away, so travelers may want to secure windows, use lighting, and inform trusted neighbors before leaving. Anyone with information about the stolen watches can contact Franklin police.
The takeaway
Homeowners who travel can reduce risk by checking window locks, keeping valuables out of sight, and arranging for someone to watch the property while they are away.
Further reading
For more local coverage, see Property Crime reporting from Franklin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRN News 2.
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