Police: 2 Men Likely Committed 2 Robberies in 20 Minutes

Around 10:50 p.m., officers responded to calls about a robbery at the Bell Tower Mart, 2100 Hillsborough St. At 11:13 p.m. – 23 minutes later – police were called out to a second robbery at the Handee Hugo, 2610 Atlantic Ave.

The suspect fired a shot during the robbery at the Bell Tower Mart, but no one was injured, police said.

A heavy-set black man used a handgun to commit both robberies, police said. He stood 6 feet tall and wore a dark-colored sweatshirt and blue jeans. A second man driving red or maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee also assisted in both robberies.

Due to similarities in the suspect and vehicle descriptions, detectives said they consider it likely that the two armed robberies were committed by the same men.