Suspect Apprehended in Armed Robbery of a First Tennessee Bank

The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) announce the arrest of the suspect who robbed a First Tennessee Bank today.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. today, the suspect entered the First Tennessee Bank located at 9133 Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville, displayed a weapon, jumped the counter and forcibly removed money from the teller drawers. As the suspect was attempting to leave the bank, an armed security guard working at the bank confronted the suspect and detained him until KCSO deputies arrived at the scene.

The suspect, identified as George B. Hamlet, age 78, of Walker County, Georgia, was arrested without incident and will be charged federally with one count of bank robbery. The investigation was a joint effort by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and KCSO Major Crimes Unit. Investigation continues concerning connections to other unsolved robberies.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.