WPD: Family Dollar told us not to stop looters; police now charging suspects

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police say they have arrested five people and are working to identify more in connection to looting of a Family Dollar store earlier today. The news comes after WPD said the managers of the discount store asked police not to intervene after several people apparently broke into the store and began stealing items from inside.

A crew from our CBS affiliate WFMY out of Greensboro captured the looting on video.

EXCLUSIVE: This is video I shot outside a Family Dollar in Wilmington. @WilmingtonPD say they are aware of the looting and were told not to intervene by store management. #HurricaneFlorence has turned #wilmingtonNC into chaos @WFMY pic.twitter.com/5d7IX5iKWJ

— Hannah Brewer (@hbrewernews) September 15, 2018

Shortly after the incident began, WPD tweeted that store management asked police not to get involved

NEWS ALERT – We are aware of the looting occurring at the Family Dollar Store at 13th & Greenfield Sts, unfortunately management has asked not to intervene at this time.

— Wilmington Police (@WilmingtonPD) September 15, 2018

WWAY spoke with Wilmington Police spokeswoman Linda Thompson, who said Family Dollar management asked them not to intervene and said “it’s just a loss.” Thompson said the situation is frustrating, because this is the kind of behavior they do not want during a crisis. She said police encourage business owners to call any time this happens.

WWAY’s Basil John and Matt Bennett went to the scene shortly after it started. They said when they got there a car tried to ram their station vehicle and that after they heard what appeared to be a gunshot, all the media crews at the scene immediately left.

This evening police said after talking with the District Attorney and Family Dollar, they would charge the suspects.

WWAY has reached out to Family Dollar’s corporate public relations department for comment, but we have not yet heard back.

As a result of what happened, the City of Wilmington placed an extended curfew starting at 5 p.m. for the area around the store bordered by 13th, 14th, Greenfield and Market Streets and running until 6 a.m. The citywide curfew runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In response to looting in the area, an extended curfew is now in place for the block between 13th, 14th, Greenfield and Martin Streets. This curfew went into effect at 5 pm and will remain in effect until 6 am. The citywide curfew will run from 10 pm until 6 am.

— Wilmington NC (@CityofWilm) September 15, 2018