Shelby Detectives Focus On Rise In Armed Robberies

Store owners in Shelby are so frightened by five armed robberies in one month that they're taking guns with them to work.

Gitaben Mack was robbed at her store last week and the robber put a gun to her head. She said she has a gun loaded and ready, and she wants the bad guys to know she means business.

“I will use it next time,” she said.

A store a few blocks away put up quarter-inch-thick glass after a robbery there.

In two other robberies last month, workers were injured. Someone shot the owner of The Curveview in the leg after a robbery and a worker at a Earl Road store was grazed by tile blasted after a robber fired a shot.

In October 2008, the town only had one commercial armed robbery. “Crime needs to stop,” Mack said.

But police said crime has improved. Major crimes, including robberies, are down by 28 percent compared to the say time last year.

The police chief, however, said he has a new strategy to fight back against these commercial crimes.

Chief Jeff Ledford said two detectives will do nothing but work on solving these crimes.

“It raises enough flags that it's worth dedicating people solely to that, and we hope that that's going to at least bring an end to what we are seeing,” Ledford said.

Police said they are most worried about the violent nature of the robberies. The detectives are looking for anything that may link the crimes, any video they can collect and any details overlooked.

While police go through the information they have, they said their best information may come from residents. They are pushing their Crime Stoppers line, hoping that someone will give a tip that helps them clear these cases.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-481-TIPS or 481-8477. You don’t have to leave your name and you could receive a reward.