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Suspected bank robber arrested after police chief shoots, misses

Fremont Police Chief Ronald Rawlings shot at a suspected bank robber four times Wednesday, without hitting him, before arresting the man.

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FREMONT, N.C. — Fremont Police Chief Ronald Rawlings shot at a suspected bank robber four times Wednesday, without hitting him, before arresting the man.

One shot went through Clifton Earl Johnson's pant leg but did not hit his body, according to authorities.

“I didn’t want to kill him and I am glad that I didn’t hit him, but it could have easier been a more tragic end,” Rawlings said.

Police arrested Johnson, 57, after he allegedly went into Heritage Bank, 100 N. Wilson St., at about 9:30 a.m. and ordered the bank manager into the vault at gun point.

The police chief, who was a few blocks away, responded to the call and came face-to-face with the suspect.

"I parked my car and I yelled for him to stop," Rawlings said. "And when I did, he brandished a gun and sort of hid behind a stop sign. And when he aimed a gun at me, I fired at him. I think I ended up firing at him four times."

Johnson was being held under a $200,000 bond at the  Wayne County jail Wednesday afternoon.

A nearby school was put on lock-down during the brief altercation.

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