Hickory police arrest man accused of robbing Christian bookstore

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By Dave Faherty

HICKORY, N.C. — Police in Hickory arrested a man who they said robbed a Christian bookstore over the weekend.

Police said Christopher Leatherman robbed the Lifeway Christian Store on U.S. Highway 70 Southeast.

He has been charged with common law robbery and two counts of breaking and entering and jailed under a $294,000 bond.

Detectives told Channel 9 that Leatherman spent several minutes in the store before walking to the front counter and passing a note to a store employee, demanding money.

The store does not have surveillance cameras, but the bakery nearby does.

Police believe Leatherman left in the direction of the bakery and was captured on one of the cameras there.

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(Leatherman)

"Why would you want to rob from God? It doesn't make any sense,” Kashin Barber said.

Police said Leatherman did not show a weapon.

According to the police report, he stole several hundred dollars from the business before leaving.

There are 170 Lifeway Christian Stores nationwide.

"We are thankful everyone is safe and we are working with the authorities in their investigation,” Lifeway officials said in a statement. “We appreciate the prayers and support from the community."

Many of the people Channel 9 spoke with were stunned to learn someone robbed the store.

"You should forgive if they are willing to acknowledge it and want to turn their lives around,” Paul Woods said.

"You're supposed to forgive people, but they still have to suffer the consequences of what they do when they make mistakes,” Jeff Younce said.

The company said they have had robberies at other stores in the past.

Nobody was hurt.

"They would rob anybody,” said Crystal Younce. “If they could rob a Christian bookstore they would probably go out and rob my grandmother. That's scary."

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