NEWPORT (AP) -- Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults says an officer confronted by armed bank robbers did the right thing when he gave up his gun.
Shults told the Knoxville News Sentinel the officer, whom he declined to name, was overpowered and outgunned. One of the men carried a high-powered rifle with an extended magazine.
Shults said police got a silent alarm from the Tennessee State Bank on Wednesday afternoon. The officer drove to the bank and went in with his Glock service pistol drawn.
When he saw the two robbers were still inside the bank, he backed out and tried to take cover. When the robbers cornered him, the officer hit the pavement, emptied his clip and handed the gun over.
The robbers took the gun and fled. The search is ongoing.
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
