Dumb Crooks

Police Chief Fires Weapon during Attempted Armed Robbery
Posted By: Precious Goss Created: 12/7/2008 5:04:43 AM Updated: 12/7/2008 6:08:19 AM
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JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A police chief is forced to fire his weapon after suspects pointed a gun at him during an attempted armed robbery.

The incident happened Saturday around 11:30 p.m. in a northside community.

Police say Chief Tranquille and his wife were returning home when they noticed a strange car in their neighborhood. Three men were standing near the car.

Police say Chief Tranquille pulled into his driveway and two of the men followed.

"Two masked robbers approached him with guns drawn and pointed at he and his wife," says Chief Rick Graham with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Chief Tranquille then got out of the car with his weapon. "Chief Tranquille obviously being aware of the surroundings felt uneasy about the car. (He) had already had his weapon in his hand and immediately took action to protect himself and his wife from the two armed robbers," says Chief Graham.

Police say Chief Tranquille fired his weapon.

The suspects then took off in different directions.

One of the suspects, who police say is a juvenile, was captured nearby with a gunshot wound to the lower leg.

He was transported to Shands Hospital.

The other two suspects remain on the loose.

The police chief and his wife were not hurt.

Chief Graham says, "Had Chief Tranquille probably not been a police officer and really aware of what was going on around him the results could have been drastically different."

If you saw or heard anything that can help police call our partner First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. It is anonymous call and you could eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.