Couple robbed at gunpoint the latest victims in Asheville's increase in violent crime

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — An armed robbery suspect is on the run, and Asheville police are asking for help in identifying him.

According to Asheville police, after eating dinner downtown, a couple was confronted just after 8 p.m. on April 11 by a man with a gun in the area of North Market Street. He threatened to shoot them.

The suspect made off with a purse and wallet, but not before shoving the woman to the ground.

The suspect is described as a white male with a short goatee. He stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and has a skinny build.

“That had to be terrifying for those people,” Joni Blackman said. “I would say that I’d be surprised at a town this size, you know, a tourist destination, that you would have something like this happen.”

Blackman is in Asheville for a girls’ trip. The news of an armed robbery is more in line with crime in her hometown of Chicago, she said.

“It’s not the kind of thing I’ve ever heard of in regard to Asheville,” Blackman said. “You hear about artists and the Biltmore, but not crime.”

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According to the latest data from APD, violent crime is on the rise in Asheville. From 2021 to 2022, aggravated assaults are up 21.8% and armed robberies have increased by 20%.

“It’s really scary,” Nora Jones said. “That’s not something you think about when it comes to Asheville, it’s just not on the radar to have that kind of crime level.”

Jones, and husband Bruce, are visiting Asheville from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“I’m going to wear my purse differently,” Jones said. “How I do it for New York City.”

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The armed robbery has left tourists and locals on edge.

“Maybe [I’ll] consider getting a pepper spray or something,” said Lilley Glasne, who works close to where the couple was robbed.

“Personally, it heightened my worry a little bit, about the area,” Glasner said.

According to the Joneses, one armed robbery won’t stop them from coming back, but they hope city leaders get on top of it.

“Crime isn’t going away,” Jones said. “Places like this have an opportunity to figure it out and do better things to make it safe.”

The armed robbery happened less than 0.25 miles from the Asheville Police Department, at 8:06 p.m. Sunset that day was 8 p.m..

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department by calling 828-252-1110 or anonymously share information by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone app.