Asheville News

The most dangerous spot in Asheville: The Wachovia teller at 2373 Hendersonville Road

Jason Sandford January 12, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Last week, Asheville police reported that a fourth robbery over the past few weeks had taken place at the Wachovia teller machine at 2373 Hendersonville Road, so I had to go see for myself. Four robberies? Some of them armed robberies? What’s going on?

The location is way down at the seedy end of H’ville Road, south of Bed Time Stories, where there’s a more industrial feel than the shopping center strips on H’ville Road closer to Asheville. I noticed that there is a large wooded area to the rear of the bank, where a robber could run and hide. I was there in daylight, so I didn’t note the lighting situation. I didn’t see any external security cameras, though I’m pretty sure all these teller machines have built-in cameras.

So why does this location keep getting hit? I don’t know, but I’d stay away from it at night, if I were you.

I’ll post more photos of the location a little later today.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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5 Comments

Sean May 15, 2009

Did you see that these guys were charged?

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BB January 13, 2009

I think this is a great way for aspiring vigilantes to entrap thugs into robbing them so they can blow them away Paul Kersey style. Just rig up a fake arm in a sling to make yourself look even more helpless, then when the punks come to rob you, just fire the gun you have pointed at them with your real arm under your trenchcoat and wait for the cops to catch on and ask you to move to another city.

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The Scoop January 12, 2009

Moving it to the front will not matter. It will just appear as if two people are waiting in line for the teller as he or she robs you. Happens in bigger cities all the time.

How about a stake out?

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Dean January 12, 2009

One of my last IT jobs (25 years experience) was with Volvo Construction Equipment. I used to use that ATM from time to time – and always felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up in the evening hours.

It’s too dark, there’s nothing going on around there, and it’s secluded enough for anything to happen.

Maybe Wachovia should move it to front, by the street.

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Weather Watcher January 12, 2009

Hi Ash,
I used this ATM regularly until the robberies and the lighting is terrible. After dark, the office buildings to the side of the ATM are virtually in the dark and the Wachovia Bank building is not very well lit either. In addition, the ATM is located on the side of the building near the wooded area As you said, it would be an easy place to hide especially since a customer has to drive around the back of the bank building to get to the ATM. I wish the bank would relocate ATM to the front of the building (closer to the main road), improve the lighting, and install multiple security cameras.

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