KINGSPORT, Tenn.–
The video was a staged robbery at a music shop. It shows a masked man with a knife attempting an armed robbery, then shows an employee pointing a gun at the robber.
The caption on the YouTube video said the robbery happened the night before.
Kingsport police said they saw the video and inquired with the owner, who initially said the robbery happened but that he didn’t report it because nothing was taken.
The owner reportedly later admitted that he hired the man in the video to play the role of the robber, and apologized to detectives and said that they meant no harm.
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He told detectives that they were merely trying to make a video that would go viral to help boost business, as well as discourage crime at their store.
Police gave the owner a copy of a state statute regarding false reporting.
According to a KPD news release, the owner is not facing charges at this time, but an investigation is underway.
