Two Arrested After Armed Robbery at Academy Sports Parking Lot

Victim assaulted and bicycle stolen in late-night incident in Burlington, North Carolina

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:05am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered bicycle lock, capturing the aftermath of a violent crime and the vulnerability of victims in retail parking lots.A violent parking lot robbery leaves a victim shaken and their property stolen, exposing the need for improved safety measures.Burlington Today

Two 19-year-olds, Cody Compton and Garrett Phillips, have been arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and simple assault after a victim was assaulted, threatened with a firearm, and had their bicycle stolen in the parking lot of an Academy Sports store in Burlington, North Carolina, just before midnight on April 4.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing problem of violent property crimes in retail parking lots, which can leave victims feeling unsafe and undermine community trust. It also raises questions about crime prevention measures that businesses and local law enforcement can take to better protect customers.

The details

According to police, the victim reported being assaulted by two individuals, threatened with a firearm, and having their bicycle stolen in the Academy Sports parking lot. Officers quickly located a vehicle matching the description near the scene, with the stolen bike inside. Compton and Phillips were arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

  • The incident occurred just before midnight on April 4, 2026.

The players

Cody Compton

A 19-year-old arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

Garrett Phillips

A 19-year-old arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

Burlington Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and made the arrests.

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What’s next

The two suspects are being held without bond as the investigation continues. The Burlington Police Department is encouraging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward.

The takeaway

This armed robbery in a retail parking lot underscores the need for businesses and local authorities to prioritize customer safety and work together to prevent such violent property crimes from occurring in the first place.