BELMONT––The combined efforts of the Belmont and Gaston County police departments resulted in arresting a robbery suspect.

According to a joint release from the BPD and GCPD, at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, an armed robbery occurred at the College Park Pharmacy at 682 Park St. in Belmont. The suspect, later identified as Cody Alexander Gardner, 29, entered the pharmacy, displayed a gun and demanded money from the cash register.

Officers with the Belmont Police Department promptly responded to the scene. Gardner fled the business on foot after the robbery. But by using a Gastonia Police Department Canine Unit, officers tracked the suspect to 21 Dunn St., a Belmont-area address that is actually located within the County’s jurisdiction. At that point, the BPD requested assistance from the Gaston County Police Emergency Response Team (or ERT).

Thanks to the swift and co-ordinated response from both agencies, Gardner was located and apprehended without incident. No injuries were reported. Gardner was charged with armed robbery and incarcerated in the Gaston County Jail.

The successful arrest of Gardner underscores the strong communication and collaboration between the Belmont Police Department and the Gaston County Police Emergency Response Team. Their teamwork ensured that the suspect was taken into custody before further harm could come to anyone.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Belmont Police Department at (704) 825-3792. All information received will remain confidential.