Police investigating string of robberies across east Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating a string of robberies that happened within hours of each other in east Charlotte.

The robberies started just before 1 a.m. Monday. The fifth was reported to CMPD just after 5 a.m.

More than one robber, armed with a gun, targeted someone Hispanic or Latino, according to police reports.

The first robbery happened on Havenwood Road, just off Kilborne Drive. Police said one man had a gun and robbed three people, including a pregnant woman, outside a home.

Officers said there was a second suspect in a getaway car. No injuries were reported.

"I'm still shaken up,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified out of fear. “That night, I didn't even sleep."

She said the assailants terrorized her, her boyfriend and her niece.

They had returned home from her uncle’s birthday celebration when the car pulled up to them.

"They had no lights on,” the victim said. “Even the tag lights weren't on, so we couldn't see (anything.)"

One of the two men got out and asked for their wallets.

He became frustrated with the woman's boyfriend, who tried to talk to the robber in Spanish.

They handed over the little money they had brought with them on their recent move from Virginia.

"He kept saying, 'I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt you, but I will shoot y'all,’" the woman said.

Two and a half hours later on Glenstar Trail, police said three robbers stole a man's Dodge truck with a camper shell on the back of it. No one was hurt in the robbery.

CMPD said that, one hour later, a man was driving down Albemarle Road when he noticed someone following him. He said the driver cut him off and a person jumped out of the car and tried to rob him.

Officials said the victim drove off and the suspects fired shots into his car. Bullets did not hit him, but he suffered a minor injury due to broken glass.

The fifth robbery was reported around 5:15 a.m. on Sharon Amity Road.

CMPD said it is working to determine if all these cases are connected.

The victims were not seriously hurt.

No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information. 

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