FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Deputies and police are investigating at least five robberies — nearly all targeting tobacco and cigarettes — at several stores in Fayetteville and Cumberland County and just outside the county.
The brazen, wild armed robberies and a break-in involved at least eight suspects who have taken at least $8,000 worth of tobacco from the stores since Halloween — with two thefts on consecutive nights this week, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
One break-in and sacking of a store just outside Fayetteville started the string of thefts on Oct. 31 in Hoke County — a half mile west of the Cumberland County line.
In that case, two suspects backed a PT Cruiser up to a Rockfish community store, broke inside, and stole more than $7,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco from the Refuel Gas Station located at 7486 Rockfish Road, Hoke County deputies said…