Search for armed robbery suspect at Knox Co. motel

Search for armed robbery suspect at Knox Co. motel

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Knox County sheriff's deputies are looking for the man accused of negotiating for a motel room, then threatening to kill the clerk and robbing the motel.

The suspect hasn't been identified yet.

The robbery was reported at 5:26 a.m. Tuesday at the Comfort Inn & Suites at 7525 Crosswood Boulevard off Strawberry Plains Pike.

The suspect is described as white, clean shaven and around 5'3".

He wore a khaki ball cap and had tattoos on his arms and neck.

He also wore a black shirt with a skull. Deputies say the shirt had some writing on it, but the clerk isn't sure what it said.

The robber also had a chain connecting his wallet to his belt.

Deputies say he'd been at the motel for more than an hour negotiating for a room. He even called some other motels trying to get a room at a lower price.

The suspect eventually told the clerk he had a gun, without showing it to her, and would kill her. He demanded money and the clerk handed over an undisclosed amount.

The suspect left the motel in a black truck with an extended cab. He had told the clerk at one point he had his wife and baby in the truck.

The clerk saw one person in the truck but couldn't determine the gender.

Anyone who has any information about this incident should call the Know County Sheriff's Office at (865)-215-2243.