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Police still looking for man connected to two Charlotte armed robberies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers are investigating two armed robberies.

Police said that just before noon Wednesday, officers responded to China Fun on Albemarle Road after they were advised that a man entered the business with a gun and robbed the place before leaving on foot.

Then, at about 5:20 a.m. Friday, police said a man robbed the Smoothie King at gunpoint on Prosperity Church Road.

“I pulled up and I was wondering why they have CSI here,” said Will Paulding, a customer of Smoothie King. “That's kind of crazy, so I guess this stuff happens in real life, like in "Law and Order.”

Police said the suspect in both cases is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches, average build and was last seen wearing a baseball cap and green jacket.

A man, who didn't want to be identified, said his daughter works near the Smoothie King and that the shopping center is filled with young workers trying to make extra cash.

“You got to be alert, be careful,” he said. “I feel bad for the young girls who were working there. They have to be shook up.”

Paulding, who said he gets a smoothie nearly every day, imagines the incident to be terrifying for the employees.

“I might be shook up if a gun is pointed at me, too,” Paulding said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 704.334.1600.