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Photo released in Mint Hill robbery tied to similar home invasions in Union County

By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com
By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Investigators say a robbery outside a Mint Hill home is likely linked to a rash of similar robberies in Union County.

In the latest case, Mint Hill police say three robbers grabbed a victim who was outside his house on Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Detectives say they tied him up, woke up his 70-year old mom, and made her drive to an ATM and withdraw money. One of the suspects also tortured the male victim for about 30 minutes using a knife, a belt, and a gun.

"He poked him with a knife," said Detective Errol Wedra. He also took a magazine out of weapon and dry fired it and also whipped him with a belt."

Police have released a photo showing one of the suspects in the back seat at the ATM.

suspect

"It's pretty unusual for people to be that brazen," said Detective Wedra.

Detectives say they believe these are the same men responsible for four similar cases in Union County just hours earlier.

Police told Channel 9 that three men robbed families in Monroe, Indian Trail and Wesley Chapel.

The first home invasion happened in Monroe around 9:30 p.m. The victim told investigators he was sitting in his garage with the garage door open, watching television, when three males came in with guns demanding money and drugs.  He told them that he didn’t have any drugs or money and that they had the wrong house.  The three suspects continued to point their guns at the victim and pushed him inside his home.

They made him get down on the floor and tied his hands behind his back.  Two of the suspects went to the rear bedroom where an elderly resident was sleeping. That victim stated they kicked the door open and started demanding money.  The suspects went through the house and left.  The initial victim was able to get free and called 911.

Police used a search dog, but didn't find the suspects.

Investigators say they believe the suspects then tried to break into three other homes from Indian Trail to Hemby Bridge to Wesley Chapel.

One victim in an Indian Trail neighborhood told Channel 9 he was sitting in his car when the three suspects approached with a gun.

He said they demanded he get out of the car and started banging on the window, trying to break it. He quickly called 911 and the suspects ran away.

Deputies said they are looking for three men in their late teens or early 20s. They were wearing black or gray hoodies and were armed with a handgun. Police said they were driving a silver vehicle.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Union County Sheriff's Office, Monroe police, or Mint Hill police.

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