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Memphis police officer accused of trying to rob a Make-A-Wish Family

(Memphis) A bizarre crime landed a Memphis police officer in jail.

Police say off-duty police officer Ronald Harris tried to rob a woman at the Memphis International Airport.

According to the police report, he also injured a family member of a Make-A-Wish recipient who tried to stop him.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation gave a family a credit card so they could travel and make a wish come true.

From the police report, it seems Harris was after that money.

Harris is accused of trying to steal a brown paper bag at the airport.

A St. Jude employee brought the bag for the family taking a trip, thanks to Make-A-Wish.

The bag contained five St. Jude T-shirts and $1,500 on a credit card for the family.

Harris is accused of following the St. Jude employee into the airport and trying to steal the bag, then head-butting a man who tried to stop him.

That man, who needed stitches on his forehead, was a family member of the Make-A-Wish recipient.

“Are you sure it was him?” asked Marsha Turner, Harris’s’ Horn Lake neighbor.

Neighbor Marsha Turner describes Harris as a friendly and quiet guy but the police report says when officers finally got Harris into custody he fought, even kicking open the police car door, escaping and trying to run.

“That doesn’t sound like the kind of neighbor he is,” said Turner.

The Memphis Police Department says its suspended Harris from the force until it completes an internal investigation

“I can’t believe it’s him,” said Turner.

The now suspended officer faces a long list of charges including escape from felony incarceration, robbery and aggravated assault. His bond is set at $25,000. He’s expected in court Monday.

Harris works at the Airways precinct and has been with the Memphis Police Department since 2002.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Police say children were present when this alleged crime happened.