Lookout Mountain: Man Wields Weapon, Identifies Himself As Police Officer

A man wielding weapons on Lookout Mountain sparks a Police search after the man tells people he's a police officer.

Typically Lookout Mountain is peaceful on a cool fall day but not on Thursday afternoon. We're told the Lookout Mountain Police Department received an alarming phone call this afternoon from an employee at The Battles of Chattanooga store next to Point Park.

"Said that there was a gentleman in there making lewd comments to one of the clerks, also brandishing different types of weapons, brought out a knife and also brandishing some bullets and a handgun," Lookout Mountain Police Officer Bob Zendejas says.

Zendejas says the man stayed inside the store and then flashed some form of id.

"He stated that he could possibly be a police officer," Zendejas.

Lookout Mountain Police officers quickly set up a perimeter but could not find the man. They say they have little to go on at this point.

"It's a white male, salt and pepper hair, he's kind of on the heavier side, portly side brown shirt and greenish pants," Zendejas says.

"I think he wanted his fifteen minutes of fame, crazy or not he just thought he'd get on tv and apparently he got on the news and that's what he wanted," Sue Alexander says.

Alexander and her family are from out of town and visiting Point Park but she says the man's appearance today doesn't really bother them.

"No because we're with three people here and we could certainly handle a crazy man I think," Alexander says.

Crazy or not, police say they're not taking this man lightly.

"We take it very seriously, anytime anybody brandishes a weapon and those characteristics yeah we take it very seriously," Zendejas says.

The Lookout Mountain Police Department says if you ever see some acting irrational or crazy up here then you should keep your distance and call 9-1-1.