Police arrest man hit by customer's truck after convenience store robbery

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Police said they've arrested a man who was hit by a customer's truck early Tuesday morning after he reportedly robbed a Burke County convenience store.

Surveillance video captured the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Andrew Michael Davis, waving a gun around during the overnight armed robbery at the Shop and Save on Highway 18, north of Morganton.

(Davis)

A shirtless Davis walked into the store just before closing time, around 1 a.m., wearing a mask, according to police.

Officials said he pointed a gun at the clerk while asking for a carton of cigarettes and taking cash from the register.

The sheriff told Channel 9 that after running from the store, a customer followed Davis and struck him with his truck.

Davis was rushed to the hospital and has serious injuries after being found in a ditch near the store.

The sheriff said the customer returned to the store to let authorities know what happened.

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Officials said they're looking into what happened between the customer and Davis. It will be up to the district attorney to decide if any charges will be filed against the customer.

Channel 9 spoke with other shoppers at the store who believe the customer did the right thing.

"I think it's awesome," said Angela Clay. "I know he took a great risk, but more people need to start standing up."

When Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty asked Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant what a person should do if they're in this situation, he said be careful if you're going to follow a suspect.

"If it's not dangerous, and you could follow someone and get a tag number or keep up with them until we get there. People do that a lot," he said.

Davis was released from the hospital Thursday and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon among other charges.

He's expected to appear in court Friday.

Cox Media Group