‘Muscular’ man who robbed Providence Road Starbucks tied to ongoing robbery spree

A Tuesday evening robbery of the Starbucks on Providence Road in south Charlotte may be related to a string of robberies in the city, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.

The Starbucks at 545 Providence Road was robbed at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, by a “muscular” male armed with a gun. He demanded cash, then fled, police said.

Investigators said the suspect is being linked to four other November robberies:

• On Nov. 15, at about 11:55 a.m., a male suspect entered the China Fun business, at 9020 Albemarle Road in the Hickory Grove division, and robbed the business at gunpoint of cash.
• On Nov. 17, at about 5:20 p.m., a suspect entered the Smoothie King, at 3020 Prosperity Church Road in the University City division. The suspect proceeded to rob the business at gunpoint of cash.
• On Nov. 19 at about 6:25 p.m., a suspect entered the Papa Murphy’s, at 16015 Lancaster Highway in the South division. The suspect then attempted to rob the business but was unsuccessful and fled the scene.
• On Nov. 20, at about 5:14 p.m., a male suspect entered the Dairy Queen, at 3020 Prosperity Church Road in the University City division. The suspect brandished a firearm and attempted to rob the business but was unsuccessful and fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30’s, approximately 5-foot-10, muscular and bald.

If you’re the victim of an armed robbery, cooperate as much as you can to stay safe, CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano said while discussing this string of robberies Wednesday.

“Take whatever you want,” he said. “I’ll get that back. Right? I’ll probably get a better car on the back end. One thing I can’t get back is me, all right? Heaven forbid I’m injured or worse.”

Victims should also try to remember as much as they can so they can give good witness statements, Tufano said

Anyone with information concerning these cases or the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. To learn more about the Crime Stoppers mobile app, please visit charlottecrimestoppers.com/.

This story was originally published November 29, 2017 at 7:01 AM with the headline "‘Muscular’ man who robbed Providence Road Starbucks tied to ongoing robbery spree."