Film Scene Mistaken For Armed Robbery

From CNN.com

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Officers who attempted to foil a convenience store heist in North Andover were surprised to learn that the would-be robbers were really actors filming a movie.

VIDEO: Police Think Actors Are RobbersNewsCenter 5’s Todd Kazakiewich reported that the officers received a call about a robbery in progress at the store on Sunday afternoon and arrived believing that the robbers were still inside.

At the time, Haverhill director John Depew was filming an armed robbery scene for the upcoming film "27 Down."“They came in and they said, ‘Drop the gun’ and I couldn’t see the officer because he was behind (me),” Depew said. “I said, ‘It’s a movie, it’s a movie -- we’re filming a movie!’ ”The officers placed two of the actors in handcuffs, according to Depew. After a tense discussion, the crew explained that the situation to the officers.Store owner Tracy Adley, who was outside when police officers arrived, said that the store was still open at the time and customers had been notified of the filming. Adley believes that one of the customers likely called police and reported the robbery as a hoax.It is improbable that someone driving by the store mistook the scene for a real hold-up, Adley said, because it would be difficult to see inside the building from a passing vehicle. The store is set back from the road and has tinted windows.

Filming resumed on Sunday after the confusion was cleared up. No charges were filed against the storeowner or filmmaker.The film is scheduled to be released in January.