The latest story that has caught some attention is that of Anthony Thornton. Thorton is a 19 year old gang member and repeat offender who has now assaulted the same police officer twice! He has numerous arrests for crimes including assaults, weapons charges (including discharging a firearm in the city- twice) possession of a stolen vehicle, communicating threats, theft charges and plenty of others. Yet, according to the CharMeck Inmate lookup, he has spent a total of four months in jail over the past few years. According to a WCNC report, "Officers feel like the court system dropped the ball. And now the same man is back in trouble after fighting with the same officer who stopped him for allegedly carrying a very large caliber 44 magnum handgun.
What bothers officers is that the first assault charge was dismissed against the alleged Crips gang member. Now less than three months later he's in trouble for allegedly doing the same thing. "The longer you've been on you expect it, but it's a slap in the face. You come out here do your job, and it doesn't go anywhere," said CMPD officer Darren White.
Thornton is in jail now but I am sure its only a matter of time before he is released again. I know the police are frustrated. When my car was stolen & I spoke with the detective assigned to my case, she was quite clear about how frustrating it is to see these people get off easy- if they are charged at all. Apparently, Mecklenburg County does not have the room in jails & not enough prosecutors to effectively punish these criminals. Of course, we the public are the ones who pay the price. Our cars are stolen, homes are robbed, people are assaulted and drunk drivers rule our streets.
I am frustrated. I have experienced this first hand with the 18 year old kid who stole my car in January. Before he stole my car, he was arrested 12 times in 1 year. He stole my car, crashed and totaled it as he was running from police. He was in jail for a 1 month and 8 days. He was released on March 1st and was arrested again on March 11th. He served a few days in jail and he was released again. On March 23rd, he was arrested AGAIN, bringing the total to 15 arrests in 1 year. Considering he spent some of the time in jail- he was real busy committing crimes. It is only a matter of time before I am back here telling you he was arrested yet again.
It makes me sick to think about the fact that I lost a $6,500 car, I now have a car payment and he completely inconvenienced me. All because he felt he could just take my car! He is out enjoying his life of crime and I am out $300 bucks a month. How is that fair? It seems in Mecklenburg County, the victims loose- even the police. Sad to think we let the criminals run the show, isn't it?