I-40 east bound was backed up for hours Thursday after a tractor-trailer rig overturned at the 342 mile marker.  Traffic was detoured off the Westel exit ramp then onto highway 70 E to Rockwood.  Apparently, this gave someone the idea there would be a high volume of traffic and cash for the Westel Rocky Top Market.  A cashier called Cumberland County Sheriff Deputies Thursday night to report an armed robbery.  The cashier said a white male, 16 to 22 years old came in and demanded money.  The suspect pointed a gun at the cashier and she gave him about $150.00. He then told her “don’t look at me” and proceeded to leave the store heading toward I-40. The suspect was approximately 5’6″ tall and wearing a black ski mask and possibly a camouflage jacket.

Deputies secured the store and checked the premises for the subject. They then checked all semis in the parking lot, taking information from all drivers.

A K-9 unit arrived to assist in the investigation. They searched I-40 from exit 338 to Airport Road, then from Airport Road back to Rocky Top Market. Other deputies searched Westel Road from Rocky Top Market to Teri’s Market. The K-9 patrol did pick up a scent from the crime scene to the 338 exit, but lost the scent at the exit.