Granite Falls Market Basket victim of armed robbery

GRANITE FALLS, NC (January 20, 2017)…A woman armed with a handgun entered the Market Basket convenience store in Granite Falls and left with money.

On Thursday, January 19, 2017, at approximately 7:40pm, the Granite Falls Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Market Basket convenience store located at 91 South Main Street. Officers arrived at the scene and found the clerk, Gary Atkins, 56 years of age, locked in a bathroom and uninjured. Officers obtained a description of the female robber and immediately alerted area law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Atkins reported that he was approached by a female outside the front door with a gun. The female, whose face was covered, led him in the store and to a restroom in the back of the store. The female robber locked Mr. Atkins inside the restroom. Mr. Atkins immediately used his cell phone to call 911.

Mr. Atkins described the female as tall, slim with light colored hair. The female was possibly driving a dark colored Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Clint Ferguson with the Granite Falls Police Department at (828) 396-3358 or Caldwell County Crime Stoppers at (828) 758-8300. Callers may remain anonymous.