Police: Mom Prompts Hugging, Praying Robber To Surrender

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man who police said was involved in a bizarre robbery in which he hugged and prayed with a frightened store clerk turned himself in after his mother saw him on TV.

Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said Gregory Smith, 23, had a gun when he went to the Advance America Store in the 900 block of East Washington Street Monday.

Slideshow: Robbery Surveillance Pics

Police said Smith jumped behind the counter and pointed a gun at the female clerk, but then became remorseful when she began crying and talking about God.

"He, at that time, starts to basically console her," said Indianapolis police Detective Kevin Wethington.

Police said the robber told the clerk that he hated to do it, but times are hard and he has a 2-year-old child to support.

Surveillance video showed the clerk praying with the robber, who even went so far as to hug the frightened female clerk.

"They were actually praying at this point about the decisions that he's making," Wethington said.

When the clerk pleaded with the gunman not to shoot her, police said he made a shocking gesture to put her at ease.

"He reaches down, hands her the bullet out of his gun," Wethington said.

After 30 minutes of conversation with the clerk, the robber grabbed about $20 from the register and the clerk's cell phone before he left, investigators said.

Police said Smith was identified in a police photo lineup on Tuesday. He is expected to be charged with robbery.