Harris Teeter Suspects Greensboro, NC
Matthews, NC -- Harris Teeter is offering $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest after a string of armed robberies in the Triad and Charlotte areas.
Between Christmas Eve and May 15, armed robbers held up seven different Harris Teeter stores in High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. In response, the company shortened hours at some of its 24-hour stores and posted uniformed security at each of its Triad locations.
The move to offer the reward through Crime Stoppers comes after recent robberies at stores in the Charlotte area. WBTV is reporting two armed robbers hit a store in the Ballantyne area Tuesday night, which follows robberies at other Harris Teeter stores in that area.
Harris Teeter will also be increasing security at its stores in and around Mecklenburg County.
Greensboro police confirmed Wednesday that investigators here have contacted officers in the Charlotte area, but couldn't definitively say whether the cases are connected. Police in High Point and Winston-Salem are also working on helping track down the suspects.
The $50,000 reward is the largest in the history of the Greensboro Guilford Crime Stoppers program, and police believe it will help deliver an arrest.
"Somebody knows something," Crime Stoppers coordinator Becky Fallon said. "Somebody out there knows who is committing these crimes and they're going to call, especially now when you put $50,000 up as a reward. It's huge."
Investigators expect the Crime Stoppers line to see increased volume immediately. And they're ready.
"It is going to mean extra work," Capt. Mike Richey, who oversees the Criminal Investigation Division, said. "And we're OK with that."
Capt. Richey says the department's entire robbery squad is focused on solving the Triad cases.
"This is their number one case," Richey said, "and it will be until it's solved."
If you know anything that might help, call your local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.
WFMY News 2