Alleged bank robbers injured after gunbattle with officers

(Poteau-AP) -- Law officers and two Arkansas men suspected of a bank robbery have had a gunbattle in Poteau, and the suspected robbers have ended up in the hospital. <br><br>F-B-I Special Agent Gary Johnson

Sunday, April 25th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Poteau-AP) -- Law officers and two Arkansas men suspected of a bank robbery have had a gunbattle in Poteau, and the suspected robbers have ended up in the hospital.

F-B-I Special Agent Gary Johnson says Matthew Blodgett of Branch, Arkansas, and Anthony Tisman of Hackett, Arkansas, allegedly fired at a LeFlore County sheriff's deputy and a Poteau police officer yesterday.

The officers fired back and struck both men.

Tisman suffered serious injuries and was taken to a Tulsa hospital. Johnson says the injuries probably aren't life-threatening.

Blodgett's leg was hurt, and he was taken to a Muskogee hospital.

Neither officer was hurt, and no Arvest Bank employees were injured.

The incident began when two men armed with assault rifles stole money from the bank's vault about 10:30 yesterday morning.

They were trying to get away when they ran into the officers.