Two suspects sought in Newport bank robbery
From Staff Reports
NEWPORT — Authorities are searching for two men who robbed a Newport bank at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Newport Police Department are investigating the armed robbery of the Tennessee State Bank in Newport. Two men, one armed with an assault-type rifle, entered the bank and demanded money, according to a news release from the FBI.
A Newport Police Department officer who responded to the holdup alarm confronted both suspects inside the bank and then drew their attention outside, according to Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults.
“Which is good, because we didn’t have a hostage situation,” he said.
The officer took cover in the parking lot behind his police cruiser.
The armed suspect, however, ordered the officer to lie on the ground and unload the ammunition from his Glock 31 service weapon. The officer complied, Shults said.
The suspects took the officer’s service weapon and fled in a silver SUV, likely a Chevrolet Traverse or a GMC Acadia.
Authorities believe one of the men to be in his mid-30s, while the second man appeared to be in his mid-20s.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 865-544-0751 or the Newport Police Department at 423-623-5556.
