News

Authorities seek suspect in armed robbery on parkway

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 23, 2021

National Park Service officials are seeking help from the public in identifying a suspect believed to be connected to a recent armed robbery on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Law enforcement rangers responded to a report of an armed robbery near the French Broad River overlook at approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24. A male victim in the case described the suspect as a white male, approximately six feet tall and larger build. The victim indicated that the suspect approached him at his vehicle, brandished a handgun and demanded his keys, wallet and cell phone then fled the scene. The vehicle used to flee the scene was described as a darker-color sedan with taillights similar to a Mitsubishi Lancer.

In the 24-hour period following the robbery the victim’s credit cards were fraudulently used at a gas station in Arden, a home improvement store in Hendersonville and a grocery store in Asheville. To date, the investigation has focused on these locations, and now park officials are turning to the public for additional leads.

“This crime is a reminder that the Parkway is not immune to the types of incidents one can experience anywhere else,” said Neal Labrie, Blue Ridge Parkway Chief Ranger. “We appreciate the cooperation from local retailers, law enforcement and others in our investigation to date, and are hopeful that by asking the public for any additional leads we can successfully identity the suspect.”

Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at (888) 653-009, email nps_isb@nps.gov or online at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/submit-a-tip.htm. You can submit an anonymous tip. Please include the case number NP21016044 so the tips are forwarded correctly.