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KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Marsaille Powell was simply reporting to work at the Cook Out in Kannapolis, when security cameras outside the building captured this: “I was going in the door and heard some shuffling behind me. That’s when I looked back and saw somebody running up toward me. I was just trying to get inside as quick as I could,” says Powell.
“I’m not sure the suspect wasn’t surprised by the reaction of the employee,” says Kannapolis Police Lt. Terry Spry. He says Powell’s reaction, to get inside the restaurant and even remember to take the key out of the door, is not typical. Spry says, “I would say not. Most people are gonna freeze.”
WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty asked Powell, “How come that wasn’t your first reaction?” He replied, “I don’t know. I was just trying to get inside. I was so close to the door, I guess. I wasn’t really trying to have a gun in my face again.”
Four years ago, Powell says he was held up while working at another Cook Out in Charlotte. But he won’t let criminals scare him away from work. He says, “I gotta earn a check. (I have a) wife, kids.”
The suspect had a ski mask on. He’s only described as a thin black man with dreads. He did try to get in the locked door before taking off running Tuesday morning. Powell is grateful the security cameras caught the confrontation. His advice to criminals casing this restaurant: stay away and, “Get a job!”
Kannapolis Police want to hear from you if you recognize the guy in the video or if you have any other information about this case. Call them at 704-920-4000.
