Manager shot, wounded during robbery of Newton pizza store

Police get reward in search for 2 suspects

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

NEWTON – Authorities were searching Tuesday for two men who robbed a Papa John's pizza delivery store Monday night and shot the manager.

Police said Charles William Achor, 20, of Newton was shot shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday after two men walked into the Papa John's and demanded money.

Investigators believe Achor was the only employee in the store during the robbery, said Lt. Dale Lafone of the Newton Police Department.

Eddie Bond, operating partner of the Newton store, said Achor was found lying in the lobby.

Police said Achor was coherent and able to talk when he was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. Achor was still in the hospital's intensive care unit Tuesday afternoon, said Capt. Skip Isenhour of the Newton police. A hospital spokesperson could not confirm whether Achor was a patient there.

Authorities are looking for two black men in their 20s, Lafone said. Both are 5 feet, 7 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches and have long hair in cornrows.

Officers believe one of the robbers was wearing a red and blue hat and a heavy gray coat and that the other was wearing a gray cap and a denim jacket.

Police have set a reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the robbers, Isenhour said, but he wouldn't say how much money was being offered.

Lafone said authorities are also trying to find a man who was driving a white sport utility vehicle and may have witnessed the shooting.


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