On December 9th, 2022 at about 4:15 PM, the Gaston County Police Department responded to the Family Dollar located at 2001 Davis Park Road, near Gastonia, NC, in reference to an armed robbery. Initial reports indicated the business was robbed at gunpoint by two African American males. The two suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash from the business in a vehicle.
The Criminal Investigations Unit has been investigating this incident since it occurred. Detectives have made an arrest of suspect #1:
Julio Angel Escalera Padilla of 769 Watkins Rd, Gastonia, NC is currently in the Gaston Count Jail under a secured bond of $500,000 dollars.
Suspect #2, Dawan Al-Taria Myers has active arrest warrants. He is described as an African American male approximately 35 to 45 years of age, between 5’ 5” and 5’ 8”, and weighing between 230 and 250 pounds.
Dawan Al-Taria Myers has active arrest warrants by The Gaston County Police for:
- Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Felony Conspiracy
The public is urged to contact the Gaston County Police with any information related to the location of Myers. Citizens should not attempt to detain Myers. Instead, citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they encounter the suspect.
This is an on-going investigation. If you have information pertinent to the investigation, please call Gaston County Police Detective C. Cogdill at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information provided in this case.
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