FAYETTEVILLE, NC – A Fayetteville mechanic is recovering after he was shot and robbed along with seven others Sunday evening.
Witnesses told police one of the weapons used was a semi-automatic weapon — an AK-47.
Fayetteville police are looking for two men following a robbery and shooting at Brown’s Garage, located at 433 Hillsboro Street.
The owner, Arthur Lee Brown, said in 25 years, he’s never had trouble at his car garage.
“All I want to do is help poor people with repairs,” he said.
Brown said he had just left his shop, when police said his staff and customers were robbed at gunpoint.
Eight people were robbed at the business at the time, including mechanics and customers. One person was also shot.
Workers told CBS North Carolina that “it all happened in less than five minutes.”
They said two men approached the car garage from behind the building where train tracks are located.
The suspects demanded money, according to workers.
Workers say when one of the mechanics, a 22-year-old man, tried to get away; he was shot in the leg.
The man was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where he is being treated for non-threatening injuries.
Workers said the robbers got away with an unknown amount of oney, wallets, a cell phone and keys to some of the vehicles of the property.
Brown said his shop is typically open seven days a week with late closing hours.
He said they mostly service customers who don’t have a lot of money, but need emergency car repairs.
Police said there are no surveillance cameras at or near the car garage. One of the workers said he’s seen the robbers in the area before.
Detectives are requesting anyone in the area at the time of the robbery and shooting contact them.
Anyone with information regarding the attempted robbery and shooting is asked to contact Detective D. Lyon with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 703-5715 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type “4Tip” followed by your message).
