Selma Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Family Dollar Robbery Suspect

SELMA, N.C. — Selma Police are searching for a man who allegedly attempted to rob the Family Dollar on North Pollock Street Friday afternoon before fleeing the store empty-handed.

The attempted armed robbery was reported at 2:53 p.m. at the Family Dollar located at 107 N. Pollock Street.

According to Selma Police Chief J. Vause, the suspect entered the store and walked around for a short time before approaching the checkout counter with merchandise.

The man placed the items on the counter, then instructed a female cashier to remove all of the money from the cash register and place it into a satchel he was carrying.

The clerk initially asked the suspect if he was joking.

The suspect replied it was a robbery, that he had a gun, and would harm the clerk if she did not comply, Chief Vause said.

As the encounter unfolded, a second employee approached the checkout area. Both employees began yelling at the suspect, who immediately grabbed his satchel from the counter and fled the store on foot without obtaining any money.

Although the suspect claimed to have a firearm, no weapon was displayed during the incident.

Neither employee was injured, and customers who were inside the store at the time were also unharmed.

Police said the suspect fled westbound on Anderson Street.

He is described as a Black male between 30 and 40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black cap, black shirt, tan camouflage cargo shorts, black shoes, and carrying a black satchel with a tan shoulder strap.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Selma Police Department Tip Line at 919-965-9841, extension 100, or call 911.