THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS MEDIA RELEASE

CASE REPORT NUMBER: 2015-006582

Check one:
Date/Time:
Distributed:

Original

10/29/2015 @ 3:35 p.m.

X Yes

Type of Incident:

No

Investigation

Wanted

Release Prepared By: Lt. B.L. Saintsing

Distributed by:

Lt. B.L. Saintsing

Armed Robbery / Kidnapping

Date and Time of Incident:

Location:

X Update

10/23/2015 @ 10:45 a.m.

13 Cloniger Drive, Thomasville, NC 27360 (Food Lion)

Thomasville detectives have charged two people in connection with the October 23rd robbery
and kidnapping that occurred in the parking lot of Food Lion, 13 Cloniger Drive.
Detectives received many calls and tips after the incident was publicized by the media. One
witness described seeing a suspicious vehicle during the time of the robbery. Based on the
information given, along with diligent investigative work by investigators, two suspects were
identified.
Teresa Owen Graham, 42, and John Michael Harris, 49, both of 1122 E. Fairfield Road, High
Point, have been charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, first degree kidnapping,
conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and larceny of a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday, October 28, Thomasville detectives along with officers from the High Point
Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence on E. Fairfield Road. Evidence
located at the scene linked both suspects to the crime. Graham was taken into custody at the
residence. She received a $500,000 secured bond and was placed into the Davidson County Jail.
Court date is set for November 4, 2015, in Thomasville.
Harris was located in the Randolph County Jail on an unrelated charge. He is currently awaiting
service of the warrants.
This incident, while unfortunate, came to a swift and successful resolution based on the help
from the community, media, and diligent work by our investigators, said Det. Lt. Mike
Howard. The investigation revealed Teresa Graham was the suspect depicted in the
surveillance photos bearing the disguise.

Teresa Graham

John Harris
###

Police Department Contact(s)

Name:
Name:

Lt. B.L. Saintsing

Phone:

336-561-2106

Phone:

Crime Stoppers, at 336-476-8477, pays cash rewards for information that leads to arrests, seizures, or the solutions to serious
unsolved crimes. Callers remain anonymous and receive rewards up to $2,000.

____________________________________________________________________________

Thomasville police are looking for a suspect involved in a robbery and kidnapping at the Food
Lion located at 13 Cloniger Drive.
The victim told police at about 10:45 a.m., a person who she believed to be a white female
brandished a firearm and demanded the victim to unlock her vehicle. The suspect ordered the
victim to drive to ATMs in Archdale and High Point where withdrawals were made with the
victims credit card.
The victim was told to get out of her vehicle near Purdy Avenue and Brentwood Street in High
Point. The suspect left the area in the victims 2011 Ford Escape. The victim did not sustain any
injuries.

The vehicle was later located in the Pleasant Grove Church cemetery on South Road,
Thomasville.
The suspect could possibly be a male wearing a disguise to look like a woman.
There was a male who approached the victim and suspect at the Food Lion as the robbery was
in progress. The male reportedly asked the two if everything was alright. When both answered
yes, the male walked away. Investigators are hoping to identify the male and interview him.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Thomasville Police at 336-475-7755 or Crime
Stoppers at 336-475-8477.

###
Police Department Contact(s)
Name:
Name:

Lt. B.L. Saintsing

Phone:

336-475-4263

Phone:

Crime Stoppers, at 336-476-8477, pays cash rewards for information that leads to arrests, seizures, or the solutions to serious
unsolved crimes. Callers remain anonymous and receive rewards up to $2,000.