By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Investigators received numerous tips and identified a man who they say robbed two convenience stores and attempted to rob a third.

Spencer Vann Botteon, 20, was arrested and charged Thursday night in the attempted robbery of Kangaroo Express in China Grove and robberies of Rushco in Salisbury and Pop’s Store on U.S. 601. All of the incidents occurred Wednesday.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, investigators from both the Salisbury Police Department and Sheriff’s Office received tips from the public and followed leads that led them to identify Botteon.

The Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Botteon on charges of felony robbery with a dangerous weapon.

China Grove investigators said a man wearing a hooded jacket with a red bandanna covering his face walked into Kangaroo Express, located on North Main Street, about 4 a.m. Wednesday. He did not get any money and left the store. Investigators believe that although he left on foot, he had a car nearby.

About 45 minutes later, a man matching a similar description walked into the Rushco on South Jake Alexander Boulevard near Interstate 85 and Klumac Road. He demanded money from the clerk, and the clerk complied, but he left.

Later in the afternoon, a man who appeared to be in his 20s robbed Pop’s Store armed with a gun. He was wearing a hooded jacket and a red bandanna that covered his face.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department spent the night searching several locations for Botteon without success.