CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Shots fired at a prominent grocery store chain, police are called, and many customers left in fear.
Borrowing an urban phrase, the gun toting suspects have been put on blast.
Translation, their images have gone viral for all to see, but the question is who will I. D. the bad guys since to the code of the street is to quote...stop snitching.
Cash Overhill of Charlotte was among those sounding off at the uptown Transit Center.
He said, "You tell on somebody. You suffer the consequences."
That is the theme a popular internet video that surfaced several years ago titled Stop Snitching.
However, there may be a game changer in the street code of silence following Tuesday night's robbery of this South Charlotte grocery store.
The supermarket chain is now offering a 50 thousand dollar reward connected to the case.
Red Moore of Charlotte understands this level street logic.
"Ooooh Ooooh I can get 50 thousand dollars for telling somebody who robbed somebody on TV and I know him, no, me, no. I'm not gonna put my life in danger for 50 thousand dollars," Moore said.
Keith Cradle works with inmate services at Mecklenburg Jail North, and feels higher dollar amounts may provide an incentive to pick up the phone.
"Money, It motivates them, but for other people I believe what they're trying to do is the right thing for their community, "he said. They don't want the violence they want to live in healthy communities."
And that's what police are hoping to find.
CMPD officer Marty Cuthbertson is assigned to the crime stoppers unit.
"So far, since last night, we've had three total calls about this robbery at the Harris Teeter."
But for those familiar with code of street, are wondering if picking out the bad guys is a case of selling out or cashing in ?
It's not the pay day that has Red Moore concerned, but rather what happens after police are tipped off.
"People putting prices on other people's heads, and stuff. That's gonna get other people hurt," he said.
You can get a closer look at that surveillance video. We've included it here on WBTV-dot-com.
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