GATLINBURG (WATE) - National Park Service rangers and special agents are investigating an armed robbery on April 25 on Foothills Parkway-East near Cosby.
A man and woman, both from Newport, said they were sitting in their car at 4:25 p.m. at an overlook when they were confronted by two people dressed in dark clothing and wearing ski masks.
One suspect sprayed the male victim with pepper spray and hit him on the head with a silver colored handgun.
The suspects took the victim's 2004 maroon Nissan sedan and drove east on the parkway toward Interstate 40.
Cocke County sheriff's deputies and park rangers found the car abandoned along the parkway. Officers found also clothing and other forensic evidence they think belongs to the suspects.
A park employee found the victims shortly after the attack and reported it. The male victim was taken to Newport Medical Center where he was treated and released.
Park investigators do not believe this was a random crime against a visitor, according to a press release from the park service.
"We are pursuing leads in the case suggestive that the victims may have been specifically targeted in a preplanned robbery," said Chief Ranger Clay Jordan.
Park officials ask anyone with information about the incident to call investigators at 828-497-1936.
