Teen Sent to Jail for Armed Robbery

William Gosier, 17, was found guilty and sentenced to serve 5 - 6 1/2 years in prison for an armed robbery offense he committed on January 22, 2007.

Police say the victim was working inside a home he was renovating on Rockwood Road when two young black males came inside and pointed handguns at him. They robbed him of his wallet and cash and fled in the neighborhood. Through the course of the investigation, a third suspect was also identified.

Gosier, then 16, and two juveniles, were located and arrested. Gosier was charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On April 29, 2008, after only 1 hour of deliberation, a jury found William Gosier guilty on all counts. He had no prior record of convictions.

Possible Peeping Tom Targeting Men's Restrooms

Police have received two reports of a possible "Peeping Tom" and are urging parents and business owners to be aware of the circumstances, especially since the suspects appears to be preying on young boys.

The reports have not come from victims but from alert employees who discovered the situation. According to reports, the suspect stuffs paper towels into the kid-sized urinal in the men's bathroom of retail stores, causing kids to have to use the restroom in a stall. The stall has a hole that leads to the one next door.

The suspect is described as a Middle Eastern male, 30-35 years of age, 5'8" – 5'10", thin build, black hair, brown eyes, goatee, smoker, carries coffee cup and operating a black or dark-colored 2000 Honda Accord. Anyone with information about this individual should call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Three Men Arrested for Trafficking Heroin

A CMPD investigation into heroin trafficking resulted in the arrests of three people last week. CMPD Narcotics and patrol officers also seized more than 1.22 kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $300,000. They also seized a weapon, two cars and more than $72,300 in cash.

Abriham Raphael, Fares Misael Fierros-Beas and Gerando Jauregui-Siment were arrested on April 24th and are being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have "holds" on Fierros-Beas and Raphael on immigration violations. An investigation into Raphael's citizenship status is ongoing.

All three face charges for trafficking and maintaining a place to keep controlled substances. Jauregui-Siment also faces charges for Possession and Fierros-Beas faces additional charges for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bonds for each are $2.1 million dollars.

Judge Nancy Norelli Announces Resignation

District Court Judge Nancy Norelli announced her resignation today. After 8 years of service, Norelli will step down from the bench in June to spend more time with her family and go into private practice.

Read More @ The Charlotte Observer

Crime Blotter: 04/21/08-04/27/08

Click on the links below to view the significant crimes reported by CMPD:

► Monday, April 21st
► Tuesday, April 22nd
► Wednesday, April 23rd
► Thursday, April 24th
► Friday, April 25th
► Saturday, April 26th
► Sunday, April 27th

Three Shot & One Killed during Wildwood Ave Shoot-Out

Shortly after 10:30 pm, two men were injured and one was killed during a shoot-out at an apartment complex near Wildwood Avenue. Police arrested Todd Cox (Shown R) and charged him with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Police say Jeffrey Green-Williams, 27, died as a result of the injuries he sustained during the shooting. Danny Antonio Accor, 43, and Thomas Elliot Vinson, 30, were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

City Manager's Public Safety Recommendations

On Friday, Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton sent City Council members a memo with several recommendations addressing the rising crime problem in Charlotte. (Read Full Memo) The information will be presented to the City Council in further detail during the City Council Meeting on Monday night.

The recommendations were developed over the last several weeks- both as part of the City budget process and to provide a more immediate response to crime issues, which include:

1. Expanding the number of electronic monitoring devices for repeat offenders.
2. Providing funding for technology improvements in the District Attorney’s Office and the Trial Court Administrator’s Office.
3. Providing additional staffing to expand the capacity of the District Attorney’s Office.
4. Expanding resources in the CMPD Crime Lab to address firearms identification workload, the backlog of latent fingerprints and the backlog of DNA analysis.
5. Expanding the number of telecommunicators in the 911 Communications Center.
6. Developing options such as a property crimes court and other Kimme Report recommendations to determine the feasibility and impact of alternative methods of expediting the prosecution of property crimes.

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC - Prostitution

The following women were arrested on 4/24/08 for various prostitution related offenses: Betty Bailey- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Valerie Dixson- Solicit Crime Against Nature & Prostitution; Marianne Gillespie- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Nancy Henderson- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Sophia Hosey- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Marie Johnson- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Gloria Montgomery- Soliciting for Prostitution; Sylena Moore- Solicit Crime Against Nature & Prostitution; Chauntau Pryor- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Crystal Robinson- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Teresa Russell- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Brelinda Shields- Loitering for the Purpose of Prostitution; Bertha Wilkes- Solicit Crime Against Nature; Sharonda Wilson- Loitering for the purpose of Prostitution

CMPD South Division: Piper Glen Burglary & More...

On Tuesday, a resident living in the Piper Glen Community came home to discover over $150,000 worth of jewelry missing. Captain Golding of the CMPD South Division sent the following information regarding the break-in.

The suspects gained entry by forcing open a door at the rear of the residence. Several factors lead police to speculate that the residence was not randomly targeted. Burglary detectives will be following up on leads provided by the victim.

· The only area of the home targeted was where jewelry was stored.
· The victim has had several contractors doing work in her house and recently hired a new cleaning service.
· The residence was left unattended for only 55 minutes before the crime was discovered.
· The alarm was not activated.
· The M. O. (method of operation) has not been seen in other burglaries.

Although burglaries in the South Division are up for the year, we experienced a 35% downward trend during the last 28 days as compared to the previous 28 days. We believe that the arrests and continued incarceration of several groups of burglars is driving this trend and we are optimistic about how these arrests will affect the year to date totals in the division.

The summaries of these significant arrests are as follows:
· As I reported in the last bulletin, we apprehended a group that we felt was responsible for the “garage door opener” burglaries. Although we have yet to connect them to similar cases, there have been no new cases with this M. O. reported.
· You may recall seeing a highly televised police pursuit involving a white pickup towing a trailer in the northern part of the county. Three suspects were arrested. These individuals are very prolific burglars in the Charlotte Metro area and are suspects in cases in the South Division and neighboring Independence Division.
· Two members of the group doing the “front door kick-in” burglaries are currently incarcerated on burglary and other charges.

Bonds on these individuals are relatively high at this time due to their lengthy criminal histories. If these individuals are released, they will receive GPS equipped ankle bracelets and be electronically monitored by our department.

Please continue to practice sound crime prevention techniques and continue to report suspicious behavior to 911. I will keep you updated with any changes. As always, thanks for your support! - Captain R. M. Golding

UNCC Campus Crime Alerts...

In the past couple of weeks, dozens of UNCC students and faculty members have had their vehicles broken into on campus. UNCC Campus police reported at least 30 car break-ins on campus. Most of the cars were parked near the edge of campus and police are increasing patrols in the hard-hit parking lots.

On Wednesday around 3:00 pm, a student reported that someone had assaulted them with “BB” type objects (possibly yellow in color) in the vicinity of Phillips Road and Broadrick Road. During the investigation, another student anonymously reported someone had assaulted him in a similar fashion several days ago and he had not reported the incident. The student left without providing the police his name.

The suspects are described as 4 or 5 black males operating a silver Neon. The weapons used may be an air gun discharging plastic projectiles. Police need your assistance in locating or identifying these suspects. In addition, any person who has been assaulted in similar circumstances is asked to come forward and report these incidents to the UNCC police by calling 704-687-2200.

Convicted Sex Offender (STILL) Hiding in Charlotte/Matthews

UPDATE IV: (5/13/08): I received word today that Matthew Cullen was evicted from the Galleria Apartments...

UPDATE III: (5/5/08): Matthew Cullen has moved again! His new address is 1710 Galleria Club Lane. (Apartment complex located behind the Wal-Mart on Sardis Road N & Monroe Road) Remember this face and keep your kids far away from him!!!

UPDATE II: (4/29/08): According to North Carolina Offender and Public Protection Registry- Cullen aka Frontera has moved to the Country Inn & Suites in Matthews, NC.

UPDATE: A reliable source e-mailed me today to advise Derrick Foster aka Matthew Cullen aka Matthew Frontera was recently released back on the streets of Charlotte. (View report @ News 14 Carolina)

Original Post - Feb 16, 2007:
On November 3, 2006, a detective from the Plano, TX Police Department contacted the CMPD Intelligence Unit for assistance in locating a convicted sex offender named Derrick Josh Foster or Matthew Cullen, etc. (Shown Right)

The detective in Texas believed Foster was living at the Marriott Residence Inn, located at 404 S. Mint Street. Foster was registered at the hotel under the name Matthew Cullen and was a resident of the Charlotte hotel since September 13, 2006.

Texas authorities were looking for Foster in regards to a 1993 murder of a 7-year old Texas girl named Ashley Estell. A man named Michael Blair was convicted for the murder and was sentenced to death. However, recent DNA tests show the tissue found under Ashley's fingernails didn't come from Michael Blair.

Blair's attorney's requested a Judge to order prosecutors to collect a DNA sample from the soccer referee who was at the soccer game the day Ashley disappeared. That soccer referee is Derrick Josh Foster. The Texas Judge granted the request and ordered the District Attorney's office to locate Foster. Unfortunately, they found him in Charlotte...

Derrick Josh Foster is a repeat sexual offender who targets children. He has two prior convictions for sex offenses against minors (one in South Carolina in 1991 and another in Arkansas in 2003) In addition, he was arrested in Arkansas in 1993 on sex abuse charges that were never prosecuted. The charges involved him abusing three separate young victims in one week. Foster served two years in prison for his conviction in Arkansas in 2003.

CMPD Police located Foster at the hotel and arrested him on November 6, 2006. He was charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Sex offenders must register their address within 10 days of moving and Foster failed to do this. Once the 10 days has passed, the sex offender is subject to arrest. Foster has remained in the Mecklenburg County Jail since his arrest last November.

After Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office arrested Foster, Detectives contacted jurisdictions in Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Tennessee, based upon a criminal history check. Police learned Foster has used at least 12 different aliases, different dates of birth and various social security numbers within the past 15 years. In addition, Foster has legally changed his name twice.

The above evidence was enough for the magistrate to sign a search warrant for police to examine Foster's belongings. On November 17, 2006, police conducted a search of Foster's property, which was located in a storage room at the Marriott hotel. Police seized a computer, video and digital camera, CD's and some paperwork.

On Monday, February 12, 2007, a second search warrant was issued to search Foster's vehicle. The search warrant revealed additional information about what police uncovered on the computer, camera and paperwork they seized during the first search.

One of the items was a piece of paper with a handwritten note "Tuesday Nov 7, 8040 Strawberry Lane 6:00." This address is for South Charlotte Middle School and it was learned by police that basketball tryouts for 7-8 year old boys were scheduled for that date and time.

A forensic examination of Foster's computer uncovered numerous images involving sexual contact between young boys and adult males. In addition, investigators found a series of images that depicted a public restroom where young boys were observed standing at urinals. The images appeared to be taken surreptitiously.

A large number of video files were stored on the computer, however, the files are encrypted and have yet to be examined. Additionally, explicit images of young boys posing erotically were found on his computer. The warrant also revealed that Foster had accessed websites providing information about youth athletic leagues in the Charlotte area.

After uncovering the evidence on Foster's computer, police added eleven counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Foster's next court date is on February 27, 2007. * All information contained within this post is taken from search warrants issued on 11/17/06 and 2/12/07.

CMPD: Crime Statistics Summary for March 2008

The following crime statistics were released by CMPD on April 22, 2008:

Following four months of a declining crime trend- both property and violent crime increased in March 2008. Compared to February, violent crime was up 11% (59 more crimes) and property crime was up 11.3% (416 more crimes) Compared to the same period last year:

• As of March 31, 2008- 20 cases were classified as homicides, compared to 19 last year.
• Robberies have increased 15.1%
• Aggravated Assaults have increased 16.8%
• Burglaries have increased 8.3%. (Residential burglaries have increased 17.8% while commercial burglaries decreased by 14%)
• Reports of vehicle thefts have increased 8.2%
• Larceny from Auto (which comprised 1/3 of all index crimes) increased 27%, while the second largest larceny category (Larceny-Other) showed a decrease this year of 4.2%
• 2,310 index cases were cleared in the first three months of 2008- almost 10% more than the cases cleared in the same three months last year
• Arrests are up 9.5% overall and 16.4% for those who have committed property crimes

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is taking a number of steps to address the increase in crime:

1. Aggressively focusing on the repeat offenders who are committing the majority of crime
   Conducting field interviews with people (Up 10% this year to date over last)
2. Increasing zone checks (Up 106% this year over last) to provide increased visibility
   Continuing focus on crime hot spots
3. Working with residents to establish neighborhood watch programs and evaluating crime prevention options with homeowners
4. Emphasizing crime prevention steps people can take to reduce larcenies from autos by not leaving items of value inside a vehicle
5. Addressing quality of life concerns that can contribute to crime (abandoned houses, lighting, trash and untended fields and yards)
6. Developing options for making cases against those who commit property crimes that will result in increased penalties (higher bonds, monitoring upon release, jail time)

CMPD LINKS:
- Overall Crime Index Report for March 2008
- Overall and Division Summary Report for March 2008
- 2007 Year-End Report -- Overall and Division Summary
- 2007 Crime and Safety Report
- CMPD Crime Statistics Archive

CMPD Officer Shoots Man on Statesville Road - Updated

UPDATED: Around 10:00 this morning, two CMPD Officers responded to a residence on Statesville Road after receiving a 911 call about an occupied suspicious vehicle. The Officers approached the vehicle and found 29-year old Jason Earnest Chappell sitting inside.

According to CMPD, Officer Jackson was on the passenger side of the vehicle and Officer Rahal approached the driver's side of the car. The Officers instructed Chappell to place his folded knife on the passenger side seat and he complied.

As Officer Jackson opened the passenger door to retrieve the knife and Chappell started the vehicle, put the car in reverse and immediately accelerated. Officer Jackson was trapped in between the door and the vehicle while the vehicle was in motion. Officer Jackson commanded Chappell to stop and when he failed to comply, he fired his service weapon once- striking Chappell.

Medic transported Chappell to the hospital and he is currently listed in stable condition. CMPD Homicide detectives have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Jason Chappell for Assault With A Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer. The warrant will be served when Mr. Chappell is released from the hospital.

Prior to this incident, Chappell had four outstanding Orders for Arrest in Mecklenburg County and numerous warrants from Cabarrus County.

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : AIKEN, CRAIG
* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL











Name : KUBIK, ANDREW DAVID
* LARCENY OF MOTOR VEHICLE
* STOLEN VEHICLE - POSSESSING
* ESCAPE FROM LOCAL JAIL PERSONNEL - AWAITING TRIAL
* RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER








Name : JUAREZ, OBDULIO
* RAPE-1ST DEGREE-VICTIM UNDER 13
* SEX OFFENSE-1ST DEGREE-VICTIM UNDER 13
* INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD

Name : IVEY, TIFFANY MICHELLE
* ASSAULT ATTEMPT SERIOUS INJURY-GUN
* DISCHARGE FIREARM IN CITY

Name : LINCOLN, RICHARD POWERS
-View article about arrest -
* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* ATTEMPT KIDNAPPING - SECOND DEGREE

Name : BOBBITT, OZ

* POSSESSION OF WEAPON ON SCHOOL GROUNDS (CHAR-MECK)

'Neighbors For a Safer Charlotte' Organization

On Saturday morning, I learned of a new organization in Charlotte called "Neighbors For a Safer Charlotte."

One of the organization's founders is a mother of three young children who was attacked by a man outside a YMCA last December. She is determined to bring citizens and neighborhoods together to demand action and become part of the Charlotte crime solution! I do not know much about the organization except for what is on their website but it sounds like an organization we should all support and become a part of!

From the NSC Website:

"If we truly want to be a World Class City, then citizens and city leaders must be open to self-inspection, and find innovative solutions to make our community a safer place to live and work.

Now is the time to to take responsibility. We must demand that our collective voice be heard. By partnering with Public and Private sector City Leaders, Law Enforcement agencies, and Neighborhood Associations, Neighbors For a Safer Charlotte will addresses these issues, working to find solutions to improving the sense of security for all citizens in Charlotte."

Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte is asking ALL neighborhood leaders and concerned citizens to join them on April 28th at the Charlotte City Council Meeting at 6:30pm at the Government Center.

The goal is to encourage widespread participation in this televised meeting to let our city leaders know the 'status quo' is no longer acceptable. In addition, Charlotte is selecting a new Chief of Police and we want our voice to be heard in this selection process. NSC hopes you will come to this important meeting and you are encouraged to spread the word.

Don't assume your neighbors or others are representing your interests. If you care and are concerned about crime in Charlotte, your participation is needed in this important meeting!

NOTE: On May 13th, the organizers of Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte will hold a public meeting to bring together neighborhood leaders from all parts of the city to address the state of crime in Charlotte. At the meeting, we will share the information we have collected, articulate community concerns to our elected officials, and explain the mission of Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte.

Crime Blotter: 04/14/08-04/20/08

Click on the links below to view the significant crimes reported by CMPD:

► Monday, April 14th
► Tuesday, April 15th
► Wednesday, April 16th
► Thursday, April 17th
► Friday, April 18th
► Saturday, April 19th
► Sunday, April 20th

Four Arrested after Attempted B&E in University Area

The Observer published an article today about a 42-year old man who lives in the University area of Charlotte. He was at home in the middle of the day on Tuesday when two men and two women attempted to break-in to his home... (Read full story)

Following the victim's 911 call, a CMPD University Division Officer was en route to the home and spotted the suspects leaving the area. The Officer followed the suspects and arrested all four of them: Ashley Avery, 20; Anthony Byrd, 18; Darius Claitt, 17; and Bertha Lampkin, 21.

View Arrest Records of Suspects: [pdf] [Word]

Vance High School Student Arrested with Gun on Campus

Morris Justin Graves, 18, was arrested today at Vance High School after a school resource officer found a gun and spent shell casings in the trunk of his car which was located in the school parking lot.

Graves is charged with possession of a gun on educational property and possession of marijuana. He was released on a $3,000 bond.

CMS told the Observer that a fellow student alerted school administrators about the gun in Graves' car and there was evidence to suggest the gun had recently been fired on a trip to Myrtle Beach over spring break.

Weekend Robberies & Carjackings in Charlotte...

Reported Robberies/Carjackings on Friday, April 11th

• 01:00 AM: 1600 Grovewood Drive: The victim reported that two black male suspects forced their way into his residence and robbed his family at gunpoint. One suspect is described as 5'8", 140 lbs., thin build, goatee, shoulder length braids wearing all black clothing and the other suspect is described as 5'10", 175 lbs., muscular build, shoulder length dreadlocks wearing all black clothing. No injuries.
• 10:07 AM: 3200 Queen City Drive: A person was robbed in the parking lot by a black male. Suspect is in custody after a stand-off with the SWAT team ended without incident.
• 9:15 PM: 3600 Frew Road: The victim reported being robbed by three Hispanic males, one of which was armed with a handgun and wearing dark colored pants and a white shirt. The suspects fled on foot. No injuries.
• 09:19 PM: 2100 Camp Greene Street: The victim reported being robbed by a known suspect.
• 10:00 PM: 8600 Maggie Lane: The victim reported being robbed of his 1996 champagne colored Jeep Cherokee, by three black male suspects. One was wearing a red shirt and the two others were wearing white shirts. All suspects were armed with handguns. No injuries.
• 11:35 PM: 8800 Albemarle Road: The victim business was robbed at gunpoint by three hispanic males. No injuries.

Reported Robberies/Carjackings on Saturday, April 12th

• 12:44 AM: 3100 Central Avenue: A woman reported that she was robbed of her white 1996 Honda Odyssey van by a black male suspect armed with a gun. No injuries.
• 01:31 AM: 4300 Park Road: The victim reported being robbed by physical force by a black male suspect.
• 01:43 AM: 6700 N. Tryon Street: The victims reported they were robbed at gunpoint by four hispanic male suspects armed with guns. No injuries.
• 02:49 AM: 500 Branch Way Court: The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by a hispanic male suspect in white truck. No injuries.
• 03:01 AM: 4900 N. Sharon Amity Road: The female victim reported that a black male suspect robbed her of car and made her drive him around. The victim was released in the University area and her car was later recovered burned off of Robinson Church Rd. No injuries. (Read News Article)
• 03:30 AM: 4000 Avalon Avenue: The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by three black males. No injuries.
• 04:03 AM: 4600 Central Avenue: The victim reported that she was robbed of her gold 2000 Ford 150 by two hispanic male suspects armed with a gun. No injuries.
• 01:34 PM: 6500 Wisteria Drive: Female victim reported she was robbed by a black male who flashed a gun and took her purse. The suspect fled the scene on foot. No reported injuries.
• 03:35 PM: 3800 Beatties Ford Road: The victim reported being robbed of his 1993 silver Buick Roadmaster by known suspects. The suspects were armed with handguns. No injuries.
• 05:43 PM: 300 Arrowhead Drive: The victim reported being robbed of her 1997 white Mercury Mountaineer by two black males. Both suspects were wearing black shirts. One suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspects fled in the victim's vehicle. No injuries.
• 09:53 PM: 6200 South Blvd: The Auto Zone was robbed by three black males- all wearing dark clothing and armed with handguns. The suspects assaulted the store manager during the robbery and fled the scene in a dark colored Honda Accord heading South on South Blvd. The manager was transported by medic with NLT injuries.
• 09:58 PM: 1800 Lansdale Drive: The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by a hispanic male wearing a black sweater. The suspect fled the scene in a red Nissan. No injuries.
• 10:41 PM: 2000 Countrymens Court: A black male, approx. 5'8", wearing dark pants and a dark shirt armed with a handgun forced his way into the victim's residence and robbed the victim. The suspect fled on foot. No injuries.
• 11:12 PM: 800 Scaleybark Road: The victim reported being robbed at gun point by two black male suspects. Both suspects were 5'10", wearing tan hooded sweatshirts. No injuries.

Reported Robberies/Carjackings on Sunday, April 13th

• 03:24 AM: 3400 Anson Street: The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by a black male suspect armed with handgun. The suspect is 5'9", thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, baggy jeans. No injuries.
• 11:36 AM: 9800 South Blvd: Three suspects in custody involving a robbery from person in the parking lot of the Texaco Station. The victim was an employee of the business. No reported injuries.
• 05:24 PM: 4000 Glenfall Avenue: The victim reported being robbed by two hispanic male suspects armed with a handgun. The suspects fled the scene in a burgundy vehicle. No injuries.
• 05:51 PM: 8000 Andover Creek Drive: The victim reported being robbed by a black male- thin build, approx. 5'4", short dreads, wearing black jeans and a black hoodie, armed with a handgun. The suspect fled on foot. No injuries.
• 06:55 PM: 1800 Oaklawn Avenue: The victim reported being robbed by two black males armed with a handgun. The suspects fled the scene in a blue Cadillac. No injuries.
• 09:52 PM: 3700 Frew Road: The victim reported being robbed by a black male wearing a black shirt and a black hat. He was armed with a handgun. The suspect fled on foot. No injuries.

17-Year Old Shot & Killed - Suspect Arrested

Shortly after 11:00 last night, CMPD Officers responded to 2601 South Boulevard in reference to a report of a man shot. Ulisses Alejandro Mayo, 17, was transported to CMC and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

Police say the shooting occurred outside a home on Belton Street and Mayo was a passenger in a car when he was shot. WCNC News is reporting that there was children's birthday party at the house where Mayo was shot. The party was just wrapping up when a fight occurred and gunshots rang out. After Mayo was shot, the driver of the vehicle drove Mayo to South Blvd. and called police.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have arrested a suspect in the case. He has been identified as 34-year-old Juan Alberto Irias.

Crime Blotter: 04/07/08 - 04/13/08

Click on the links below to view the significant crimes reported by CMPD:

► Monday, March 7th
► Tuesday, April 8th
► Wednesday, April 9th
► Thursday, April 10th
► Friday, April 11th
► Saturday, April 12th
► Sunday, April 13th

Why Isn't Charles Hall in Jail?

On Tuesday, CMPD Officers went to serve warrants on 41-year old Charles Allen Hall at a home on Sugar Creek Road. The warrants were related to his involvement in several catalytic converter thefts.

Hall refused to exit the home and a 5-hour SWAT Standoff (Tax $$'s) ensued. Finally, Officers found Hall hiding in the attic and took him into custody. Hall was released two days later and he is out walking the streets of Charlotte.

Hall is one of Charlotte's most notorious habitual repeat offenders. His criminal career began when he was a teenager and he is still going strong at age 41... According to my calculations, Hall has at least 49 arrests on his NC record since 1983. He has served some jail time over the past 20 years but his charges far outweigh his punishments.

Charles Hall is another great example of how the NC Justice System is failing us! Hall is a career criminal who has victimized person after person for the past 25 years and he continues to get away with it! Read his record and see for yourself.
View: [pdf] [Word]

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : SIMPSON, MICHAEL JAMES
- Habitual Offender -

* INDECENT EXPOSURE

Name : GALATAS, ANDREAS

* ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON--INTENT TO KILL-CUTTING
* COMMUNICATING THREATS

Name : FARRIS, WILLIAM MAURICE
Alias: TATE, LAMONT
* 2 X's: ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* STOLEN GOODS - POSSESSION OF
* COMMUNICATING THREATS
* DAMAGE TO REAL PROPERTY

Name : MILLER, GREGORY

* ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON/INTENT KILL/SERIOUS INJURY-CUT

Name: LEBLANC, JONI MARIE

* SOLICIT - CRIME AGAINST NATURE
* C/S-SCH VI- POSSESS MARIJUANA - MISDEMEANOR

Name : JEFFRIES, CODY BRONSON

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL

* ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON-SERIOUS INJURY - GUN

Repeat Offenders Jailed After High Speed Chase...

Three young men attempted to burglarize a home in Cornelius this morning and ended up in a high-speed chase with police officers.

It all started when a woman called police around 10:30 this morning. She heard a knock at her door and saw three black males in an unfamiliar SUV parked in her driveway. She opened her upstairs window and loudly told the burglars she wasn't going to answer her door. The burglars took off... but not before she got the tag number. Of course, the SUV they were driving was stolen!

A short time later, an officer spotted the vehicle in a nearby neighborhood. He attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspects took off. Officers chased the car down Old Statesville Road towards Huntersville. Huntersville Officers deployed stop sticks- which flattened the SUV's tires. The suspects finally stopped in a residential neighborhood.

The suspects jumped from the stolen SUV and carjacked two Huntersville Public Works employees at gunpoint. The suspects sped away in a city truck towing a trailer carrying a lawn mower. Officers chased the suspects from I-77 to Harris Boulevard and then South on Statesville Road.

During the chase, the suspects drove carelessly at a high rate of speed. They ran several cars off the road and travelled on the wrong side of the road to pass other vehicles. Finally, the suspects jackknifed the truck and jumped and ran from the vehicle. (Watch Raw Video of the Chase)

Police chased the suspects on foot and caught all three. Marquis Gaines, 17, (Top Photo) Timothy Hines, 18 (Middle Photo) & Steven Staples, 18 (Bottom Photo) are facing a long list of charges... It didn't stop them from laughing on camera as they were hauled off to jail.

I know this may surprise you... all three men are career criminals. Police say they are investigating the suspects to see if they were involved in other robberies and break-in's in the area.

Tip Leads To Capture of CMPD's Most Wanted

One of CMPD's Most Wanted suspects was captured today thanks to a citizen who called the VCAT Tip line. Police say the VCAT and SWAT teams arrested David Lawon Cousart shortly after 1:00 pm inside a home on Downs Avenue.

Cousart was a prominently featured member of CMPD's Most Wanted list. Most recently, he was involved in a violent home robbery in Charlotte on March 13th. He held a family at gunpoint and shot a male inside the home.
David Cousart is 18-years old and he is already considered a HABITUAL repeat offender. Cousart's arrest record goes back to his early teens when he was still considered a 'juvenile.' Since his 16th birthday, CMPD has arrested him 15 times. Officers in Cabarrus County arrested Cousart on several occasions as well. (View DOC record)

Cousart is another prime example of a criminal who commits crime after crime and still walks the streets of Charlotte... Need I say more?

*Watch WCNC Video: Why are repeat offenders on the streets?

Burglary Arrest in Providence Country Club Neighborhood

UPDATE: Police have named the two suspects they arrested in relation to the garage door thefts at the Providence Country Club neighborhood. Javario Miller (Top Photo) and Jovan McLaughlin (Bottom Photo) are charged with felony breaking and entering, breaking/entering a motor vehicle and two counts of larceny.

Police are still looking for the third suspect. He is described as a young black male, 6 feet tall with and athletic build and short to medium length hair. He last seen wearing a red shirt and jeans.

The following information was sent from Captain Golding of the CMPD South Division:

At approximately 1:30 pm, a burglary occurred on Providence Country Club Drive. The burglars first broke into the resident's SUV which was parked at Providence Country Club. The burglars took the garage door opener and some bills from the vehicle.

The suspects were able to get the victim's address from one of the bills and went to the victim's residence and used the victim's garage door opener to gain entry to his house. Meanwhile, the victim had reached the first green when he noticed his dog in the yard. Since the victim had not left his dog outside, he went to check on his house. He saw the burglars’ van parked in his driveway with the engine running and he could see the burglars in his house.

The victim took the keys from the suspect's van and went back to the golf course. One of the suspects pursued the victim onto the golf course and confronted him while brandishing the flag/ pin from the green. The victim was able to fend off the suspect by wielding a golf club. There were two other suspects who left the residence.

An off-duty officer who works for Providence Country Club happened to be passing by and was able to apprehend one suspect on the scene. A second suspect was located in the Longview Community in nearby Union County. A third suspect is still on the loose. He is described as a young black male wearing a red shirt and jeans. He was six feet tall with an athletic build and had short to medium left hair.

Based on the method of operation, we are speculating that these are the same individuals that were committing the series of “garage door opener” burglaries that have been occurring over the last two weeks.

Even though these individuals were apprehended today, we are still cautioning citizens not to leave garage door openers in their cars. Many brands of garage door openers offer smaller remotes that can be attached to a key ring. Also, don’t leave documents with your home address in your car. Of course, state law requires that you have your registration with you so consider placing the registration in a place only known to you or anyone who drives your vehicle.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to help us expand this service. We currently have 1,600 subscribers. With 137,000 residents in South Division, we need to have thousands more sign up. Tell a friend or two to sign up for “notify me” at http://www.cmpd.org/

Community Safety in Charlotte: An Editorial Response

The following was written by CMPD Chief Darrel W. Stephens and sent to Charlotte citizens via govdelivery.

Community Safety in Charlotte: An Editorial Response to Charlotte Observer Article:

The editorial in yesterday’s Charlotte Observer represents another lost opportunity for the public to be responsibly informed about the impact of crime in our community and the work that is always being done to improve our sense of safety.

It was void of context, accurate facts or an acknowledgement of any of the examples of work in the hot spots that have recently appeared in its own newspaper. Moreover, the editorial’s singular focus on police as the answer belies the essential roles everyone – including the media – has in addressing crime and safety issues.

Crime has been and will continue to be a challenge for Charlotte-Mecklenburg as it is for every major city, and no group is more committed to fighting crime than the men and women who work for the CMPD.

By way of context, it is appropriate to point out that both violent and property crime have dropped each month since the peak in October and November of 2007. Violent crime was down by 7.2% in 2007, the lowest rate since 1980. While property crimes have inched up in recent years, driven largely by auto thefts and more recently, car break-ins, they are still lower than they were at any time in the previous decade.

To be sure, statistics mean little to one who has had their house burglarized or had property stolen from a car. We understand that a reduction in the violent crime rate is little comfort to the person robbed at gunpoint on the street or in a store or to someone whose family member is injured. We know last year’s reduction in the number of homicides provides no explanation for the recent, horrific murders that have occurred.

But the numbers are important for understanding the impact of crime, identifying trends, targeting resources, developing policy and gauging the results of enforcement, prevention and intervention efforts. And the stories behind the numbers are important for understanding that most violent crime is not random and many property crimes can be prevented.

The CMPD has been a leader in using analytical methods to identify “hot spots” in which there are concentrations of crime and calls for service. Contrary to what the Observer suggests, working in those areas has been a key part of our policing strategy for many years. They are "hot spots" because the problems extend well beyond what law enforcement is able to do on its own. Fortunately, the residents we work with, while understandably concerned and fearful, share our commitment to fighting crime and developing viable solutions to the range of issues that contribute to crime and disorder problems.

It is disappointing that the Observer appears not to give the public enough credit for understanding what is going on. From unsupervised juveniles, drug abuse and insufficient treatment for the mentally ill to housing code violations, overcrowded jails and an overburdened court system, the problems that underlie issues of crime require the full range of local, state and federal resources to address them effectively.

While it is common for people to have a misunderstanding about a crime or problem in the neighborhood, we work with them, provide information and help calm the fear. In fact, this kind of work is taking place in neighborhoods in every patrol division throughout the city. Recently, officers have been working diligently with residents in Dilworth, Plaza/Midwood, Farm Pond, Peachtree Hills and Windy Ridge, just to name a few. In every case, officers and residents come together to gain clearer understandings and develop plans to address the problems.

Last year, we made nearly 28,000 arrests and in the first four months of this year, we have made more than 7,500 arrests. Let’s be clear – if we could arrest our way out of the crime problem, we would have done it already. While the CMPD will continue to do everything it can to reduce crime and improve safety, creating a true sense of safety is the shared responsibility of every member of our community. - Darrel W. Stephens, Chief of Police Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

* Watch Video: WCNC's interview with Chief Stephens about repeat criminals

92-Year Old Woman Stabbed During Home Robbery Dies

A 92-year old woman died this morning from stab wounds she sustained during a home robbery on Sunday evening.

Police say Mildred Clontz arrived home last night around 7:00 pm and a man forced his way into her home on Knickerbocker Drive. The suspect(s) stabbed Ms. Clontz several times and robbed her home before fleeing on foot.

The victim was able to call 911 and briefly spoke with police after the attack. She described the suspect as a black male. If you have any information that could help police, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : MAHATHA, BELGIUM VON-ERICK
- View article about arrest -
* 3 X's: ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* 2 X's: CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON

Name : LUSTER, LORENZO TREDELL

* 3 X's: ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* 2 X's: CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON

Name : KINLAW, MATTHEW HOGAN

* ROBBERY (COMMON LAW)
* CONSPIRACY - FELONY

.
Name : HORNE, LAWANDA DENISE

* ROBBERY (COMMON LAW)

* CONSPIRACY - FELONY

Name : FUNDERBURK, BRANDON LASHAW

* 3 X's: ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* 2 X's: CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON

\

Name : CLARK, DARRIUS J
* 3 X's: ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* 2 X's: CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON

Name: ARNOLD, GERALD H
- View article about arrest-
* KIDNAPPING - SECOND DEGREE
* SEXUAL BATTERY - BY FORCE/AGAINST WILL