Suspect Arrested in Jewelry Store Robbery

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s business as usual for Markman’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry tonight, after experiencing a scary close-call Friday afternoon.

According to Chattanooga Police, the robbery was reported around 3:30, and police were on scene within minutes to catch the suspect in the act. “There were about 30 cops there. It looked like 25 cop cars,” said Dylan Thomas who was a witness to the incident.

The suspect, who has now been identified as Garris Wooten, used his truck to barricade the building, and during all the chaos of the robbery Wooten sprayed a pepper spray type chemical in the air.

Four employees were treated on scene by EMS. Wooten was quickly taken into custody by officers, and was later transported to a local hospital for his erratic behavior. The owners of the store had no comment, and luckily everyone went home safe.

Wooten is being charged with aggravated Robbery and four counts of Aggravated Assault.