CMPD Searching for Reasons in Recent Armed Robbery Rash

CHARLOTTE, NC — 12 armed robberies in 24 hours at gas stations, stores and restaurants across Charlotte have police searching for suspects, and working with businesses to try and improve safety.

Customers are also fearful, wondering when thieves could strike again.

The crimes cover the queen city. From a Circle K in University City, a store in strip mall on Wilkinson Boulevard, to a Wendy’s on Rea Road.

CMPD says some of the crimes are connected. But they are struggling to find a reason for the sudden explosion.

“Honestly in one night, it’s fairly uncommon,” says Sergeant Brian Scharf with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Armed Robbery Unit. “In fact, it’s probably really uncommon.”

12 armed robberies in 24 hours across Charlotte. Gas stations, restaurants and retail stores all hit on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

“It really freaks me out,” says East Charlotte resident Ileana Jenkins. “It kind of has me super aware of my surroundings now. I just don’t understand why there are so many.”

CMPD says some of the robberies are connected, but this sudden spike may be coincidence.

“This doesn’t appear to be any group of people out robbing,” says Sergeant Scharf. “It honestly appears to be a couple individuals who went out, and just unfortunately did some bad things.”

Like David Thomas, who is charged with pointing a gun at clerks, and stealing money from, a Quick Trip on The Plaza, and another on Albemarle Road. A fingerprint hit from the lab helped lead to his arrest.

Brandon Hallums was a match for surveillance photos from armed robberies at an XPress Mart on Nations Ford, and a 7-Eleven on Brookshire Boulevard. He was even wearing the same sneakers.

Sergeant Scharf says a unique get away vehicle helped lead to his arrest.

“It was a bright colored, purple vehicle,” says Scharf. “So it really stood out, which certainly helped the finding of it.”

No one was seriously injured in any of these 12 armed robberies.

CMPD works with convenience stores and gas stations to improve safety with better lighting, cameras and employee training.

Ileana Jenkins lives near a 7-Eleven on Monroe Road that was hit in East Charlotte.

“Pulling up to a gas station by myself, I’m always super aware of my surroundings,” says Jenkins. “I always look around and see who is beside, or around me.”

Armed robbery was up more than 16-percent in charlotte for the first quarter of 20-17.

CMPD says they are still looking for three or four more suspects in this recent rash.