CMPD: 3 store robberies possibly connected

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department officers are searching for a man detectives believe may be behind three recent robberies. 

The first happened on Aug. 18 at the Plaza Express Mart at 6307 The Plaza, the second happened Monday at the 7-Eleven store at 8101 Old Concord Road and the third happened Wednesday at the Giant Penny Grocery Store at 3330 The Plaza in the Eastway Division.

Eyewitness News spoke with Wednesday's victim, who was behind the register at the Giant Penny when she said she was shot with a Taser while ringing up the person she thought was a customer.

"As the transaction was done, he came around my register, Tased me twice and took cash," the employee said.

Police said the suspect is a black male in his early 20s, 5 foot 10 inches to 6 feet tall, weighs 160-200 pounds with a medium build and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and purple cap, according to a release sent out by CMPD Wednesday. 

The store manager at the 7-Eleven on Old Concord Road showed Channel 9 his surveillance video where the man in a blue shirt, reach across the counter with a Taser, scaring away store employees.

The store's manager said the man left with $85 in cash because there were only $1 and $5 bills in the register.

"No matter what we do -- where we go -- there is always something going on," Synetta Garret, a shopper who said she often goes to the Giant Penny for groceries.

Garret said she will not be scared away from shopping at Giant Penny but hopes police track down the robber.

The store employee who said she was assaulted this morning while working said she decided to stay at work even after the incident.

"I'm not letting someone like that take that away from me," the employee said.

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