APD seeks help to ID armed robbery suspect

Press release from the Asheville Police Department:

At 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 10, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to the Hot Spot store at 1118 Brevard Road after reports of an armed robbery. A preliminary investigation showed that a suspect entered the store, approached the counter, and brandished a handgun at the clerk while demanding money. Following the incident, the suspect then fled across Brevard Road, entered an awaiting vehicle, and drove in the direction of the Parkway. Fortunately, the employee was unharmed.

Several hours later, at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Dec. 11, a person matching the same description as the suspect in the previous robbery, brandished a handgun to the clerk at the Eblen Short Stop at 217 Amboy Rd. before fleeing.  A short while later, a man who is believed to be the same suspect approached a resident who was using a First Citizens ATM at 1375 Patton Ave. demanding money.  Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

These incidents are under further investigation and the APD is seeking help to locate the suspect in these incidents. They are described as a white male, small build, wearing a gold shirt underneath a black jacket. The vehicle being used to flee the scene of these incidents is described as a black SUV, likely a Ford Expedition or Ford Explorer. Please exercise caution as the suspect is armed.

We encourage anyone with information on these incidents or the identity of the suspect to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. To submit an anonymous tip please use the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by text 847411, use keyword TIP2APD and provide detailed information.