Suspects face new charges in violent robberies at businesses

CHARLOTTE — Trey Lindsey, 30, and Derrick Pettus, 30, were arrested and charged in connection with a string of armed robberies in Charlotte.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Tuesday they are now facing more charges.

Both suspects appeared before the judge by video conference Tuesday afternoon.

Lindsay and Pettus are accused of robbing six businesses, including a Dominos and two Justice clothing stores, at gunpoint.

Colleen Leon said these types of crimes have inspired her to look both ways when she parks at shopping centers. She's concerned she might get robbed.

"It scares me to death. As soon as I get in my car now, I automatically lock my door because you just don't know," she said.

Leon frequents the strip mall and orders pizza at the Domino's where police said Lindsay held employees at gunpoint.

A worker said Lindsay had forced her co-workers onto the ground while he made her open the register.

Police said that was just one stop on a violent robbery spree.

"They wanted easy money, without having to work a job. This was their full-time job," Sgt. Brian Scharf said.

Police escorted Lindsay and Pettus to jail this week for their alleged roles in robberies that were committed at six businesses in July and August.

Eyewitness News looked into their backgrounds and found Pettus has already served more than five years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery.

These latest cases are part of a spike in crime that police are battling. The most recent crime report shows robberies are up 18.4 percent in Charlotte.

"I just don't feel safe anymore," Leon said.

The judge assigned public defenders to both suspects. They're due in court for bond hearings on Aug. 26.

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