By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
ENOCHVILLE — A man was robbed at knifepoint and his car was stolen Wednesday about 2:30 p.m. at the 600 block of Spring Garden Avenue.
According to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies responded to a report of a robbery and found Yan Qiu Zhao, owner of the Hong Kong Restaurant in Oak Avenue Mall in Kannapolis, at the Xpress Mart at 2720 West C St. Zhao told authorities a white male robbed him of $150 in cash and took his vehicle, a gray 2003 Toyota Sienna.
The suspect is a white male with short blond hair. He has no distinguishing marks, no visible tattoos and was clean shaven. He was wearing a white T-shirt and brown pants. Zhao said he has never seen the suspect before.
According to the report, the man came into the restaurant and ordered some food. He then asked Zhao to give him a ride back to his residence.
The report said the man did not give Zhao his name, but Zhao agreed to give him a ride to his home.
After driving about three miles, the man told Zhao to stop at the 600 block of Spring Garden Avenue.
The man then held a long kitchen knife to Zhao`s throat and demanded all of his money and told him to get out of the vehicle. Zhao tried to get the knife away from his neck, cutting his hands in the process. He then complied by giving the suspect $150 in cash and getting out of the vehicle.
The stolen 2003 Toyota Sienna van is gray and has an N.C. tag number of SYW6584. The van is entered into NCIC.
Anyone with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers 1-866- 639-5245 or the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.