WILMINGTON — Authorities are looking for a suspect who tried to steal a cash box from a weekend event at the New Hanover County Arboretum. After the suspect was foiled by a 71-year-old woman, he threatened to stab another man and then fled.
According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) the incident took place at the Arboretum on Saturday, November 2, around 2:30 p.m. during the annual Art in the Arboretum event.
Volunteers were manning the entrance and collecting $5 admission from guests. According to NHCSO, the suspect grabbed the cash box when a 71-year-old woman spotted him and snatched it back. Another volunteer then took the cash box to safety.
Meanwhile, a member of a band that was performing at the event was able to grab the suspect. However, the suspect then threatened to stab the bandmember, who released the suspect. The suspect took off on foot.
NHCSO said they did not have a detailed description of the suspect.
