GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gastonia Police Department says three people are in custody after allegedly beating a man whose hands, feet and mouth were taped together. The incident occurred on North Chester Street near downtown.
Local businesses told WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker there's more to this story than what's in the police report.
Scott Cavendish is a Gastonia business owner who has been asking the same questions about crime in Gastonia for eight years.
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“All business owners are at a complete loss,” Mr Cavendish said. I don't know what to do. TThere's a big problem here. WWhat do you do when someone breaks into your house and steals your things? ”
Cavendish said Gastonia has a crime problem and Monday's incident was just the latest example of that.
Cavendish spoke to the owner of El Guero Mechanic Shop. That is the company where the incident occurred. He said the report did not mention employees trying to protect the business.
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The shop owner said someone had been stealing stereos from the car he was working on for the past few days. Some broke car windows.
“I called the police a few nights and nothing happened, and I had a report but no action,” Cavendish said.
He said the staff took it into their own hands.
“I have no doubt they tried to arrest him. I know they were angry too,” Cavendish said.
Mr Cavendish said this was just one part of a larger issue at play.
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“The owner will give the police footage and photos and give the address when they follow him home, but the police won't do anything,” Cavendish said.His response is that he has to catch them in the act. I called the police, but they won't talk to me about any criminal issues. ”
We asked Gastonia Police if this action was taken as a defensive measure. WCNC Charlotte was brought back to the police report.
Contact Austin Walker: awalker@wcnc.com and follow him Facebook, X and Instagram.
