Women targeted in two armed robberies at Carrier Park

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Police are investigating two separate armed robbery attempts targeting women last week at Asheville’s Carrier Park.

According to a press release from the Asheville Police Department, at 8:53 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, a woman said she was on the track when a group of males started following her. She told police that when she attempted to enter her vehicle, they threatened her at gunpoint and demanded her keys.

“The suspects then took the victim’s vehicle and fled the area,” the release states. Officers searched the surrounding area and did not locate the suspects, but the stolen vehicle was found nearby, parked and unoccupied, the release states.

In a second incident, about 9:45 p.m. the next night, June 19, a victim told officers she was at the park hanging a flyer when she was approached by a group of males who threatened her at gunpoint and demanded her vehicle’s keys.

“The woman refused, began to walk away, and yelled for help when one of the suspects hit her in the head with the gun object before fleeing,” the release states.

In both cases, the victims described the suspects as three young males, possibly juveniles, one of whom was noticeably taller than the others.

“One of the victims told police she believed a firearm brandished by one of the suspects in the group appeared to be fake,” police spokesperson Samantha Booth said. “The woman struck in the head by one of the males told police she was struck with a ‘blunt object.’ She was offered but denied medical treatment.”

Asked if visitors to the park should take any special precautions, Booth said, “The Asheville Police Department encourages the public to always be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity or behavior to local law enforcement. So, if you see something that appears to be out of the normal — or someone’s behavior that doesn’t seem quite right — say something.”

The cases remain under investigation and detectives are asking anyone with information about the identities of the suspects to call police at (828) 252-1110, send an anonymous tip by texting to TIP2APD to 847411, or submit an anonymous tip by the TIP2APD smartphone app.