Police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly robbed a First Tennessee Bank and fled the scene on a small, pink bicycle after leaving a hoax bomb at the scene.
At 1:38 p.m., officers received a report of a robbery at the First Tennessee in the 5400 block of Ringgold Road, according to a press release from Tim Mullinax, spokesman for the East Ridge Police Department.
When they arrived, the building was already being evacuated due to a suspicious package left by the suspect that appeared to be an explosive device.
According to East Ridge Police Chief JR Reed, the bomb squad was called as a precaution in order to handle the package which was rendered inert and determined to be a hoax.
An hour after they first responded, police officers walked around the parking lot, picking up pieces of what remained. No one was injured during the incident.
The suspect is a black male who was wearing a reflective vest. He fled the scene on the bicycle which was recovered in a nearby area, but he remains at large.
Jeff Jackson, the First Tennessee Market President, said "At First Tennessee, our paramount concern is always for our customers and those who serve them."
"We are grateful that no one was hurt in the robbery at our East Ridge branch and are extremely appreciative of law enforcement officials who are investigating this situation. Because this is an active investigation, we will refer all comments to area law enforcement."
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the police at 423-622-1725 or the confidential tipline at 423-867-0016.
Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.