CONCORD, NC – A man is in custody after moving a car into Walmart early Friday morning in Concord, police said.
The Cincord Police Department tweeted at 6:30 a.m. that it was investigating the incident at Walmart on Thunder Road near Concord Mills and Derita Road near Interstate 85.
(See below: Channel 9’s Susanna Blake and Anthony Kustura report from the scene after a driver crashed into the front of a Concorde and Walmart.)
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Someone pushed the car into the store around 6 a.m., according to police. When officers arrived at Walmart, they went inside and confronted the driver, taking him into custody without incident.
The driver’s name has not yet been released, but police say he is a former martial arts employee who was fired last week. Officials offered no motive, but said the driver may be offended by the management. He is facing several charges.
It is not yet clear whether the suspect worked at this particular store.
The Channel 9 crew reported that dozens of police, fire and EMS crews could be seen at the store, with most of the activity centered at the pharmacy and grocery entrances.
The front door of the store slammed shut.
Channel 9 learned that the first responders were able to evacuate all employees and no injuries were reported. The store was scheduled to open at 7 a.m. It is unclear when it will reopen.
A Walmart worker who was inside the store at the time shared subsequent photos with Channel 9, showing that the wing had been damaged and that she was showing objects scattered on the floor.
An activist working in the building said that after the front door broke down, the car spun inside the store and employees all rushed outside. Witnesses told Channel 9 that the vehicle was badly damaged.
Police said the driver did a lot of damage.
“If you take a car through Walmart, a lot of damage is happening,” a police official told Channel 9. “Isles aren’t that wide. [for a car] So the property has suffered a lot. “
>> Channel 9’s Susanna Black is with investigators and there will be live updates on this story on Channel 9 at noon.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this evolving story.
