Here’s some pretty interesting, immensely detailed info from our friends in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department:
IMPORTANT CRIME ALERT!
Robberies in Charlotte, NC connected to a Homicide in York County, SC
Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit and Robbery Unit have been working closely with Detectives from the York County Sheriff’s Office to link the robberies committed on Park Road in Charlotte on Monday, October 6, 2008, to the homicide committed in York County on Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
The chain of events is as follows:
- On October 8, 2008, the Anyday Payday Loans located on Carowinds Blvd. in York County, South Carolina was robbed; the store clerk was shot and killed during the robbery.
- On October 6, 2008, Queen City Pizza located at 2212 Park Road and the China Saute located at 2214 Park Road were simultaneously robbed with the owner of Queen City Pizza suffering a gunshot wound.
- The Zaxby’s Restaurant located at 7508 South Tryon Street was robbed at gunpoint on August 3, 2008. The manager was shot during the robbery. Those responsible also used a stolen mini-van stolen in the Steele Creek area which was recovered a short distance from the robbery. Based on the MOs, the Zaxby’s robbery may be related to the other three robberies.
- Due to the fact that these robberies are related, as well as due to the recent escalating level of violence, we want the community to increase its awareness, especially around businesses and shopping centers.
- The suspects use stolen minivans or midsized four-door sedans that can carry four to six adults. Typically, the minivan or sedan is stolen several minutes to a couple days before the robbery and is usually recovered within blocks of where the robbery occurred.
- Several of these vans were stolen in the Steele Creek Patrol Division in southwest Mecklenburg County.
- The minivans are usually stolen from a public parking lots or shopping centers.
- The suspects are described as black males who are covering their faces and wearing gloves.
- We are asking for the community’s help in identifying these suspects, and for any information that will help us identify these violent criminals.
- We are asking for business owners and the community to heighten awareness of suspicious activity, especially involving minivans or midsize sedans with a large number of men exiting the minivan near businesses at all times of the day or night.
- We are urging business owners not to resist the demands of those committing the armed robberies, but fully comply with their demands.
- The Providence Division is dedicating resources and increasing our patrols. Please call Crime Stoppers at 7074-334-1600, if you have any information regarding these cases.