Suspect gets away with $15,000 in Asheville Ingles robbery

ARDEN – City police are looking for a suspect in the armed robbery of an Ingles grocery store in which the robber got away with $15,000.

The robbery was reported shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Ingles at 301 Long Shoals Road, according to a police investigation report.

Nearly a dozen people inside the store witnessed the crime, according to the report.

At least one shot was fired by the masked suspect, who was armed with a pistol. No one was injured.

"Evidence shows that the gun was accidentally discharged into the store's counter while the suspect was attempting to rifle through the register," Asheville police spokeswoman Christina Hallingse said.

According to the investigation report, the suspect fled with $15,000 in cash.

Witnesses were unable to provide a good description of the man, who left in a Toyota 4Runner, possibly with a South Carolina tag, Hallingse said.

Anyone with information about the suspect or robbery is urged to call Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers at 828-255-5050.