By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Authorities have charged a Salisbury man with robbing two local convenience stores and stealing cigarettes and beer from several more.
Ronald Dunlap Copeland, 47, of 825 N. Green St., was charged Thursday with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, seven counts of larceny, one count of second-degree trespass and one count of misdemeanor resist, delay and obstruct an officer.
Salisbury Police Department investigators say Copeland went to the Faststop Market, 2210 S. Main St., just before 6 p.m. on March 28 and stole two cartons of cigarettes. The same day, police say, Copeland stole from the Pop Shoppe, 1831 W. Innes St.
The next day, authorities say, a man went into Rushco, 1518 E. Innes St., and stole cigarettes. The same day, the Pop Shoppe was robbed again and another Rushco store, at 929 S. Jake Alexander Blvd., was robbed of two carton of cigarettes and three 18-packs of beer.
On Wednesday, a man walked into Country Cupboard, 2010 Statesville Blvd., and stole two cartons of cigarettes.
A third Rushco store, 1901 W. Innes St., was robbed Thursday.
In at least two of the robberies, the man indicated to the clerk that he had a gun, police say.
Police say they stopped Copeland’s car and arrested him Thursday after he left Ruscho on West Innes Street around 6 a.m.