Gastonia, N.C. - March 15, 2023: Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) continue to investigate the March 7 attempted armed robbery of a convenience on S. New Hope Road. Today, investigators are releasing surveillance video of the male suspect and his vehicle and are asking the public for any help in identifying either the suspect, the owner of the vehicle or the identity of a possible additional occupant of the vehicle.
On March 7 at approximately 2:10 a.m., GPD officers responded to the Circle K located at 2434 S. New Hope Road for the report of an attempted armed robbery that just occurred.
During the investigation, detectives determined that the suspect may have initially been a passenger in a vehicle that parked near the store and that the suspect entered the store wearing sunglasses and a mask covering his mouth and nose. The suspect approached a female employee who was working behind the counter and told her to open the cash register drawer. The employee told the suspect that she could not open the drawer and the suspect then attempted to gain access behind the counter.
The suspect returned to the counter and again demanded the employee open the register. The employee told the suspect again that she could not open the register. After this second attempt, the suspect fled the store and was last seen on video entering the driver’s side of his car and leaving the area.
The employee told investigators that the suspect kept his right hand in his jacket pocket at all times and looked look down at his pocket during the attempted robbery possibly inferring that he was armed.
Anyone with information about this attempted armed robbery, the suspect, or the suspect’s vehicle is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000. You may be eligible for a cash reward and callers may remain anonymous.
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