Todd Paris, Staff Writer and Salisbury Attorney/RFP Staff
♦ At 7:49 p.m. Saturday night the Pop-Shoppe on 1831 W. Innes Street by Statesville Road (a block before Catawba College) a young male dressed in dark clothes, a green and black bandanna covering most of his face, and a “hoodie” terrified patrons and two clerks by pulling a pistol and leaping the counter. He was spotted earlier on foot coming from the direction of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. The female clerk, displaying presence of mind, leapt the counter at the next register and fled the store while male clerk took up the robber’s attention. The male clerk, after a brief struggle with the robber, wisely gave up the contents of the register alleged to be $338. This full-tilt assault on the register felt like an eternity to the persons in the store, yet lasted only 19 seconds.
The Pop Shoppe, 1831 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, N.C.:
Location The Pop Shoppe, 1831 W. Innes near Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, N.C.:
Witnesses in the store recalled the female clerk having the gun pointed at her head and back. When she was able to run, the robber chased her with his gun. The robber soon gave up and fled the area back the way he came. The clerk called 911 when she was a safe distance away. Soon officers started arriving.
The Police Arrive:
After the witnesses were made to feel safe and before the Salisbury Police could complete their investigation, the officers were called again to 2nd robbery and told staff the same suspect hit the Mystic Mart just down the road.
Photo Gallery from the Pop Shoppe:
Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect a reward of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
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♦ Apparently while the Fibrant debacle reduced Salisbury Police were tied up at the Poppe Shop, the same suspect hit the Mystic Mart (formerly Penn-Mart) at 1600 S. Main Street (near Mooresville Road). Thankfully no one was injured in this second armed robbery. While police on the scene would not give information, a statement overheard indicated that the same suspect is wanted in both robberies.
Convenience store clerks were terrified the suspect would attempt for a third robbery tonight. It is unknown whether there is a vehicle involved at this point.
No one was injured during the Mystic Mart Robbery.
Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect a reward of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
**RFP will update as further reports are posted.**
