Asheville Man Charged After Armed Grocery Store Robbery with Machete

ASHEVILLE, NC — A local man is behind bars and facing felony charges after allegedly using a machete to rob a grocery store in Asheville on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

According to the Asheville Police Department, the incident occurred during the afternoon hours when a male suspect entered the grocery store. Witnesses reported that the man brandished a large machete, threatening employees and demanding cash from the register. Fearing for their safety, the staff complied with the demands, and the suspect fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

Officers responded swiftly to the emergency call, gathering descriptions of the suspect from store employees and surveillance footage. Following a brief search of the surrounding area, patrol officers located a man matching the suspect's description. The suspect was arrested without incident, and the weapon, along with the stolen cash, was successfully recovered by police.

The individual has been identified and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and communicating threats. He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a secured bond. Police officials commended the store staff for their calm handling of a highly dangerous situation, which allowed officers to resolve the case quickly and safely.