 The morning before Christmas , a high @-@ speed chase occurs near a Burbank , California shopping center , ultimately ending with the fugitive crashing his car through the Buy More front doors . Nathan " <unk> Ned " <unk> ( Jed Rees ) exits the car and , desperate to buy presents for his children , takes Chuck Bartowski ( Zachary Levi ) , Ellie Bartowski ( Sarah Lancaster ) , Devon Woodcomb ( Ryan McPartlin ) , and all the Buy More employees hostage . Ned communicates with the police via Chuck , and LAPD Lieutenant Frank Mauser ( Michael Rooker ) negotiates the release of Emmett <unk> ( Tony Hale ) as a sign of good faith . 
