Police believe Salisbury Cook Out robbery linked to others

SALSIBURY, N.C. — A Cook Out restaurant in Salisbury was robbed around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Salisbury Police Department. Now people who live nearby are on edge.

"I don't think we'll be eating out very much anymore. I mean, I have a teenager. I hate to be overprotective, but come on, this is ridiculous. This is Salisbury," said mother Lori Moore.

Moore and her husband spoke to us outside the Salisbury Cook Out Sunday. They both said it raises safety concerns in the area knowing the person responsible is still on the loose.

Police say the robber shot through the glass of the business on East Innes Street and gained entry. He then demanded an undisclosed amount of money from an employee.

The robber then left on foot in an unknown direction. The robbery is believed to be connected to robberies that have occurred at Cook Out restaurants in Denver on Dec. 22, Charlotte on Jan. 13 and Indian Trail on Jan. 5. Shenita Russell works near the Cook Out in Salisbury and says it makes her scared to leave work alone.

"I'm a little apprehensive, when I'm walking out to my car at morning and at night," said Russell.

Police described the man as black, 5 feet 8 inches or 5 feet 9 inches in height, with shoulder-length dreadlocks wearing a black ski mask covering his lower face, a black jacket and black cargo-type pants. The man was also carrying a gray and blue book bag. People who spoke to Eyewitness News are calling on the community to help catch him.

"We need to just try to pull together to catch this individual. I feel like as a community we need to tighten up as far as our security," said Russell.

Anyone with information about these robberies is encouraged to call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Read past coverage:

Jan. 14:  CMPD says 2 Cook Out robberies in area connected

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