A sheriff’s deputy in Davidson County, North Carolina, was fired Tuesday for allegedly robbing a bank in Rowan County, N.C.
Davidson County Sheriff David Grice said Jeff Athey was accused of robbing the F&M Bank in Rockwell at gunpoint Tuesday around 4 p.m. EST. Athey was immediately taken into custody and is currently at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department mentioned the accused deputy had been serving in the department for at least a year. He was terminated Tuesday afternoon immediately after the sheriff found out about the alleged crime in Rowan County.
“I’m as shocked and appalled as anyone else about Mr. Athey’s behavior. During his employment with our agency, he gave no indication that this type of behavior could occur. I’m thankful that no one was injured and he did not resist efforts to make an arrest,” Sheriff Grice said.
“We’re not going to tolerate this kind of behavior, obviously, and we don’t tolerate anybody who violates the law or violates the policies at the sheriff’s office. They’re not going to be employed with me if they do,” he added.
Athey did not resist while being arrested by the officers. He reportedly committed the crime before his shift was to begin later in the day. Anyone with further information on the robbery was asked to call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office or the Rockwell Police Department, which were investigating the matter.
Although such incidents are rare, there have still been instances earlier of police officers being arrested for robbery.
