Suspect Info Released in Bank Robbery Where Officer Was Injured

The FBI has released suspect information in connection to a bank robbery at Trust Federal Credit Union on Gunbarrel Road that took place Tuesday morning.

One suspect is over 6 feet tall, medium build and was wearing a black jacket and black fedora.

The other suspect is shorter and wore a silver mask and black hoodie.

An officer was injured in a car crash responding to the bank robbery, passing out after checking on the passenger in the car that hit him.

The officer was struck at the intersection of Gunbarrel and East Brainerd Roads just a few hundred yards from the bank.

"Typically on a robbery or any type of hold up alarm it comes in as a Priority 1, which our officers respond in lights and sirens and emergency equipment," said Deputy Chief David Roddy with the Chattanooga Police Department. "As our officer was responding in, they slowed at the approach of the intersection to see that it was safe. From what we have received at this point, a vehicle did yield to that responding officer. The officer did proceed into the intersection, however the other vehicle did not see our officer or was unable to see our officer and unfortunately that community member and our officer collided in the intersection."

The victim is Officer George Forbes.

He was rendered unconscious and taken to Erlanger for observation.

"First and foremost was to focus on the healthy and safety of our community members. He did get out of his vehicle, went over to check on the other driver. At that point he was not only overwhelmed with the shock of the incident but any injured he must have sustained," Roddy said.

The multi-lane intersection of Gunbarrel and East Brainerd Roads is busy and filled with businesses.

"I just peeked out of the window from my back and I just saw there was a police car in a wreck with another car," said Jayesh Patel who works at a gas station at the intersection. "The lights were on and the traffic had stopped."

Officials urge drivers to yield to emergency vehicles.

"If you think you hear a siren, slow down," said Roddy. "Take the time to look around you. See what’s going on, what’s approaching you and if you do see emergency first responders coming from any direction, slow down, and pull to the right."