CMPD arrests man, woman in connection with string of armed robberies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies across Charlotte.

Police said they've charged Veronica Crawford, 42, and Timothy Whiteside, 46, in connection to six robberies, four of which happened Tuesday night.

The string of robberies started around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, when a woman said the suspects robbed her at gunpoint along South College Street.

About two hours later along Central Avenue, a woman told police a suspect approached her with a gun, stole her purse and cell phone and then took off.

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Just before 10 p.m., a man said he was sitting in his car at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and The Plaza when he was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects.

“Sitting in my car browsing social media and then, all of the sudden, my car door opens and there is a gun at my temple,” Justin Meneses told Channel 9.

In a split second, he said he decided not to comply.

"It was fight or flight, and arrogantly, stubbornly I chose fight,” Meneses said.

He said the suspects hit him in the head with the gun but eventually ran off.

Police said the string of robberies continued about 30 minutes later at the popular hamburger restaurant Bad Daddy’s in Dilworth.

The victim in the Bad Daddy’s case told police she was sitting in her car when the suspects came up to her, pointed a gun at her and stole her vehicle.

Police said they found the car a short time later.

Police said they responded to a suspicious vehicle call at 12:11 a.m. Wednesday along Justice Avenue and found a vehicle that matched the description of the one connected to the armed robberies.

Officers said they approached the car and the driver took off. They said after a short chase and crash, officers took the people inside the car into custody.

Police said they were able to connect Crawford and Whiteside to two other robberies that happened on Oct. 27 and Oct. 31. They said they’re reviewing similar cases throughout the city and more charges could be filed.

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