Saturday, February 28, 2009

Mecklenburg County Juvenile Detention Center Closing

From WSOC-TV: State officials said it could be a month before they come up with a solution for what to do with juvenile offenders in Mecklenburg County.

Budgets cuts are forcing the county to close the Gatling Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday. State officials said Charlotte officers will now likely have to take the juveniles to Guilford County to find open beds. Two officers are needed to transport outside inmates out of the county.

"If (police) arrest two juveniles in one shift, there goes four patrol officers if you arrest them at different times," said Officer Adam Planty.

The state hopes to set up a system where Charlotte officers can drive to Gaston County and state officials would take the offenders the rest of the way to a detention facility, but that wouldn't start until April. More News @ WCNC

Thursday, February 26, 2009

VCAT Seeking Jeremiah Anderson

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of Jeremiah Anderson. Anderson was released from jail on bond in January after spending eight months in custody for burglary. Anderson was court ordered to wear a CMPD electronic monitor until his case was resolved in court.

Anderson was on trial this week for a 2007 first degree burglary case. During a break in the trial, Anderson cut of his electronic monitor and is on the run.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anderson is asked to call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team at (704)336-VCAT.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

15 People Indicted in Charlotte-Area Drug Conspiracy with Gang Ties


Fifteen individuals, most of whom are from Charlotte, were indicted on federal drug conspiracy and other charges arising from their participation in an organization with ties to the criminal street gang "United Blood Nation," commonly known as "Bloods,"

U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, FBI Special Agent in Charge of North Carolina Operations Nathan T. Gray, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe announced today. Charges contained in the 41-count indictment range from drug conspiracy involving cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; operation of a "crack house" at 2317 Dundeen Street in Charlotte; conspiracies to commit robberies; and counts alleging illegal use and possession of firearms.

"Today's indictment underscores our ongoing commitment to eradicate violent drug gangs," said U.S. Attorney Shappert. "It also reinforces the vital partnership between the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Law enforcement partnerships are critical to our success. The leadership demonstrated by FBI and CMPD benefits the entire community."

The six-month-long investigation by the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department culminated today with the unsealing of the 48-page federal indictment following the arrests this morning of 13 of the indicted suspects. The indictment was filed in federal court in Charlotte on Thursday, February 19, 2009 and had remained under seal until today. The targeted enforcement action carried out this morning led to the seizure of seven firearms and the execution of four search warrants and13 arrest warrants related to the case. A list of all the defendants and their current status is provided at the end of this release.

"This indictment shows how team work and commitment put in by dedicated members of law enforcement can bring about change in this city," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan T. Gray, of Charlotte. "We have shown that when agencies work together, we have the power to bring down entire gangs. We will continue to do all we can to make sure people walk through their neighborhoods and not fear gang violence."

The indictment alleges that the defendants are members, or associates, and/or narcotics suppliers/dealers with members and associates of the criminal street gang "United Blood Nation" ("Bloods"). It is further alleged in the indictment that the defendants conduct the bulk of their drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the area of Charlotte along Beatties Ford Road, specifically between Capps Hill Mine Road and Brookshire Boulevard. Known generally as the "Beatties Ford Road corridor," this Charlotte community, the indictment alleges, is where the defendants have derived much of their income from the sale of narcotics.

In addition, defendants are alleged to have both sold and purchased narcotics in or around dwellings, referred to by special names, all located in the Beatties Ford Road corridor of Charlotte. Another source of income for the defendants, the indictment alleges, came from the commission of robberies against other drug dealers where both drugs and drug proceeds were obtained by force, violence and intimidation.

In addition to the drug conspiracy count, three defendants are charged with federal firearms violations, and all defendants are each charged individually with using a telephone in committing or causing the commission of acts constituting a felony. Four separate robbery conspiracies are alleged, along with 15 separate counts alleging possession with intent to distribute drugs.

The indictment also includes a Notice of Forfeiture and Finding of Probable Cause that defendants forfeit to the United States all of the property involved in the offenses with which they are charged in the indictment, and all property traceable to such offenses. Currency, firearms, and vehicles listed in the Notice of Forfeiture include the sum of approximately $100,000 in U.S. currency; a 7.62 semi-automatic assault rifle and ammunition; a Rossi .357 Revolver and ammunition; a 2008 Cadillac Escalade, a 2008 Jeep Commander, and a 2006 Dodge Charger.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe said, "Today's operation impacts the entire city. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and all of its law enforcement partners, will continue to work extremely hard to remove the fear and intimidation caused by gangs in our neighborhoods. Our strategy is to root out this type of criminal activity."

The investigation and indictment announced today represents the third such case in two years in which known gang membership and/or ties, drug distribution activity, firearms possession and violence, are all being carried out in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area of the Western District of North Carolina. In March of 2007 Charlotte's Hidden Valley Kings gang was indicted in federal court; all defendants in that case were sentenced to heavy prison terms in December 2008. In June 2008, Charlotte's MS-13 gang was indicted in federal court; the case is set for trial in U.S. District Court in Charlotte in June 2009.

Each defendant in today's indictment faces heavy fines and a long prison term under the statutes, if convicted. However, it is important to note that any sentence received upon conviction will be influenced by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which the Court consults in order to determine each defendant's actual sentence. Sentences are based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of each offense and each defendant's criminal history, if any.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. In the American justice system, a person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is the product of a six-months' investigation led by the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department with significant contributions made by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Gastonia, NC, Police Department. The prosecution is being handled for the government by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Zolot, Western District of North Carolina Gang Coordinator, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelli Ferry.

The following defendants are charged in the indictment: Jason Campbell, also known as "Dawg," and "Slim," age 26, of Charlotte; Jawaad Nash, also known as "Wad," age 26, of Charlotte; Dontrey Lashaun Harrison, also known as "Shaun," age 34, of Charlotte; Malik Billings, age 25, of Charlotte; Michael Greene, also known as "Mike," age 31, of Charlotte; Tavarus Sturdivant, also known as "TV," age 27, of Charlotte; James Lamar Vaughn, also known as "Brother Man" and "Brah Man," age 42, of Charlotte; Garwin Harris, also known as "Monk," age 54, of Charlotte; Marco Wigfall, age 23, of Charlotte; Felicia Baucum, age 29, of Charlotte; Robert Springs, also known as "B-Dog" and "Bobby," age 54, of Charlotte; Joey Williams, also known as "Joe," age 30, of Charlotte; Daryl Gibbs, also known as "Ralph," age 32, address unknown; Sanchez Hudson, also known as "Chez," age 26, address unknown; Pamela Dooley, age 45, of Charlotte.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Bank of America on South Blvd. Robbed

The FBI Charlotte Safe Streets Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the individual who recently robbed a Charlotte branch of the Bank of America.

On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at approximately 8:00 a.m., an Hispanic male knocked on the exterior window of the Bank of America branch located at 2823 South Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina (NC), when the bank was not yet open.
After attracting the attention of a bank employee, the suspect forced his way into the branch after a brief struggle with the employee, during which the suspect pointed a handgun at the employee. When three additional employees subsequently arrived at the bank, the suspect used duct tape to restrain the employees.

After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money from the bank, the suspect fled the bank. However, before fleeing the bank, the suspect told the bank employees that he was leaving behind some explosives that could be detonated via a cellular telephone. However, subsequent investigation determined that no explosive device, not even a hoax device, was left behind at the bank.

The suspect was described as an Hispanic male, approximately 5'8" - 5'9" in height, medium build, and 20's in age. The suspect had short black hair that was cut close on the sides and was approximately one inch thick on the top. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a black suit jacket and pants, a light colored shirt, a dark tie, and black, square-toed dress shoes. Although the suspect spoke with an Hispanic accent, he spoke English well. The witnesses also noted that it sounded as if the suspect was talking to someone else via a two-way radio during the robbery.
The Safe Streets Task Force is releasing the attached image from the bank’s surveillance system to help further identify the suspect. Anyone with information regarding this case is requested to contact the FBI at (704) 377-9200.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Police Seeking Subway Robber

On December 17, 2008, the Subway store located at 4023 Brookshire Boulevard was robbed by an armed suspect. The detective assigned to this case is seeking any information on this suspect and his identification.
If you have any information that may help police please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Arrest Made With the Use of a Bait Car

The CMPD Metro Division Command and officers have been working closely with the Auto Theft Unit Command and its detectives to combat criminal activity in the Atando Business Park area. Assets have been deployed including the use of a Bait Car to address the issues of larceny of auto.

The most recent use yielded the arrest of John Edward Price. Mr. Price was charged with Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Possession of a Motor Vehicle and Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property, for breaking out a window when he tried to escape from the vehicle.

This is the 25th arrest for Mr. Price in Mecklenburg County since January 28, 1984. Mr. Price remains in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff, under a bond of $91,000.

The bait car in use was provided by Nationwide Insurance. The Auto Theft Unit is grateful for the continued support of Nationwide Insurance in helping combat auto theft in Charlotte

Thursday, February 19, 2009

CMPD Officers Round up Students Skipping School

From WCNC: Police say it's no secret that truant students drive up the crime rate, so they want to put those kids back in school. NewsChannel 36 spent the day with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Steve Arnold and Mike Sardo as they rounded up teens on the streets. Sardo and Arnold work in the Westover Division's truancy program.

"We recognized him from yesterday," Arnold said as the officers picked up a 14-year-old boy. "We had taken him back to school yesterday." "You can see here he's got 131 unexcused absences," Arnold said.

NewsChannel 36 questioned the teen and he told us he was on his way to school when he was arrested. "I want to go to school. I want to show some support for my family. I want to show a role model for my little brother," the teen said.

If the students are below the age of 16, the officers take them back to school and give them a lecture on the way. "I like to hear what you said about being a role model to your brother, but if he sees you skipping school or coming home in a police car or getting arrested or in trouble he's going to follow in your footsteps," Sardo said.

Thanks to a federal grant, the officers spend most of their day looking for kids skipping school with the goal of cutting crime. "If some of these kids are out here walking around they are not in school. They get together, 'Hey, let's break into a house. Let's break into a car,'" Arnold said.

The officers know where the students who skip like to hang out and they make it a point to show up there. Some of the targets are tram stations and convenience stores.

"They come in here trying to buy cigarettes and alcohol. You just know they are not supposed to be here," said Lindsey Arnautovic, who owns a convenience store on Woodlawn Road.

Westover is one of three divisions with a truancy program. The others are Freedom and Metro. If this program works, it could be expanded across the city.

Burnette/Nobles - 2009 Golf Tournament

The CMPD Hope Foundation is proud to host the Fourteenth Annual Burnette & Nobles Memorial Golf Tournament. This event is held in honor of Officer John Burnette and Officer Andy Nobles, who were “Killed in the Line of Duty” on October 5, 1993.

April 20, 2009
Renaissance Park Golf Course
1525 W. Tyvola Road

VIEW FLYER

10 gang members arrested following ICE-led operation in Charlotte

Ten foreign-born gang members with ties to local violent street gangs were arrested here yesterday following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led operation.

The operation, dubbed Community Shield, was a multi-agency effort spearheaded by ICE. Among the participating agencies were the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD); the United States Marshals Service and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety’s Alcohol Law unit (NC-ALE).

The operation targeted foreign-born members and associates of MS-13, Surenos, Brown Pride, SUR-13 and Latin King street gangs. Those arrested were illegally present in the United States and are now in ICE custody; however, four of them, although administratively arrested, were referred to the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for possible criminal prosecution due to criminal offenses that include possession of marijuana, re-entering the United States after deportation, and possession of a firearm.

“We will continue teaming with our law enforcement partners to target those terrorizing our communities,” said Joan Nash-Scavazzon, acting assistant special agent in charge of ICE’s Office of Investigations in Charlotte. “Through these partnerships, we will use all of our combined law enforcement tools to thwart the criminal efforts of street gangs.”

Transnational gangs pose a growing public safety threat to communities throughout the country. It is estimated that there are over 900 different criminal gangs in the United States. These gangs no longer own turf in just the inner city but have spread their criminal networks throughout suburban and rural communities.

These transnational street gangs have a significant number of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes. Like any street gang, these transnational gangs also have a propensity toward violence. Their members commit a myriad crimes including robbery, extortion, assault, rape and murder.

Operation Community Shield is an ongoing national initiative in which ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to address the significant public safety threat posed by transnational street gangs. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies are essential to the success of the initiative, and they help further ensure officer safety during the operations.

Since ICE began Operation Community Shield in February 2005, more than 11,800 gang members belonging to more than 700 different gangs have been arrested nationwide.

The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Porn

Timothy Christenbury, 46, of Charlotte, N.C., pleaded guilty today to possessing child pornography, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Rita M. Glavin and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.

Christenbury pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Horn III to one count of possession of child pornography. He was indicted on those charges on Dec. 16, 2008. According to the indictment, Christenbury possessed computer files containing child pornography from on or about Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, 2007.

Christenbury was identified through “Operation Joint Hammer” – the U.S. component of an ongoing global enforcement operation targeting transnational rings of child pornographers. The operation already has led to the arrest of more than 60 people in the United States involved in the trade of child pornography.

Operation Joint Hammer was initiated through evidence developed by European law enforcement and shared with U.S. counterparts by Europol and Interpol. The European portion of this global enforcement effort, “Operation Koala,” was launched after the discovery of a handful of people in Europe who were molesting children and producing photographs of that abuse for commercial gain. Further investigation unveiled a number of online child pornography rings – some of which hosted dangerous offenders who not only traded child pornography, but who themselves sexually abused children. Law enforcement has determined that the customers of the Web site were located in nearly 30 countries around the world, including the United States.

Christenbury faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, forfeiture of all seized property, and up to a $250,000 fine. Christenbury also will face the imposition of supervised release following his release from prison for a term of at least five years to life.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

10 Habitual Offenders Sentenced This Year

From WSOC-TV: Habitual offenders in North Carolina are given significantly higher sentences than others, and in Mecklenburg County, the District Attorney's Office has already convicted 10 habitual felons this year.
The 10 men, James Jacobs, William Cunningham, Alfred Keys, Bryant Chisholm, Renny Mobley, Mark Gadston, Abel Harris, Benjamin Cummings, Robert Brown Jr. and Corey Moore, were convicted of drugs, property crimes or robbery.

If they were convicted of those offenses alone, they would have faced little or no jail time. But because they were labeled habitual offenders, their sentences were set anywhere from about six to 23 years.

“Someone can be labeled a habitual offender if they've received three prior felony convictions after 1967. Those convictions can be from other states, federal court or other counties in North Carolina,” explained Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Davis.

Jacobs, for example, was found guilty of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, but because of his prior convictions, he was sentenced to up to 16 years in prison as opposed to just probation last month.

Davis said criminals are often referred to as chronic or repeat offenders, which could mean the person has been arrested several times or has committed several misdemeanor crimes, but he said that doesn't make them habitual offenders.

Homeowner Catches Burglar on Video

On February 16th, between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm, a residence located on Jardin Way was broken into.

The homeowner had installed a video surveillance system and it recorded the suspects committing the breaking and entering.

If you can identify the men in the photos, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Banks and Cell Phone Text Message Alert

The CMPD has received multiple calls tonight in reference to citizens receiving suspicious text phone messages. The message advises that suspicious activity has been detected in reference to their bank and/or credit card account and they need to contact their bank. The text message then lists a telephone number to call.

Many citizens have reported that they do not have accounts with the banks listed in the text messages and they feel this is a scam. Please warn citizens in reference to this and advise them that the only number they should call in reference to their credit cards is the toll free number listed on the back of the card. Likewise for contacting their bank, use a known toll free number and not one listed in a text message.

Driver Charged with Murder after Deadly Accident

Mark Jefferson Belton III was arrested early this morning after he caused a deadly accident on North Tryon Street. Belton is charged with second degree murder and driving while impaired.

Police say Belton was traveling at a high rate of speed in the south bound lane of on N. Tryon Street when his vehicle struck a car driven by Jose Orlando Barahona-Cortez. Barahona-Cortez was attempting to make a left turn from N. Tryon Street onto Arrowhead Drive when he was struck by Belton.

Belton was transported to Carolinas Medical Center by Medic. Barahona-Cortez was pronounced deceased on the scene by Medic.

Detectives Investigate Homicide on Lakemist Drive

Case Update: Family notification for the victim in this morning's shooting at 1120 Lakemist Drive has been completed by Homicide detectives. The victim is 40-year old Brian Nelson Oxner. In addition, detectives have charged the suspect, Christopher Love, with Murder.
----------------------------
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Detectives are currently investigating a homicide at 1120 Lakemist Drive. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2009, at 2:47 a.m., in the Steele Creek Division. The victim has been identified; pending family notification their name will be released.

Steele Creek Division officers responded to a call for service in reference to someone being shot. When officers arrived on scene they located the victim lying inside of the residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe this is a domestic related shooting. At this time, a suspect has been identified and is being transported to police headquarters to be interviewed by Homicide detectives.

Homicide Unit detectives canvassed the neighborhood and Crime Scene Search units are processing the scene for physical evidence.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. Detective T. Brandon is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Friday, February 13, 2009

North Tryon Division- Crime Alert!

CMPD: The North Tryon Division of CMPD is experiencing an increase in auto thefts where the keys were left in the ignition. The owners of the vehicles are starting their vehicles to get them warm and suspects are targeting these vehicles to steal.

Please tell your neighbors to make sure they stay with the vehicle if they need to warm the vehicle up due to cold weather. This will assist the police in reducing the vehicle theft issue in our area.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Teen Raped After Riding Light Rail Instead Of School Bus

From WSOC-TV: The family of a 17-year-old Charlotte student says a simple phone call from her school might have kept her from being raped. "When she came home, she was shaking real bad and she was crying," the girl's aunt told Eyewitness News.

She said her niece and other students who ride one of Kennedy Charter School's three buses were told just before school let out that their bus had a flat tire, and they would have to ride public transportation home.
But she said no one called parents or other family members to let them know first.

"They didn't call to let us know they were going to send her home on the light rail or ask us to come pick her up," the aunt said.

As a result, the girl and several classmates from Kennedy Charter took the light rail into uptown Charlotte. The girl told police that one of those classmates, 16-year-old Maurice Hunter, attacked her when she got off the train and forced her into a nearby office building where he raped her.

Police arrested Hunter early Thursday and charged him with kidnapping and rape.

Kennedy Charter School officials said they're conducting an internal investigation on the decision to send students home on public transportation, thus they aren't commenting on the case.

But the girl's aunt said they clearly didn't do what they needed to do. "From the time a student gets on the bus early in the morning, till the time that they leave and get to their final destination, they should be responsible for the students -- and my niece didn't get home safely," she said.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

CMPD Chief Defends Request For 125 More Officers

WCNC: Crime numbers are down but Charlotte Mecklenburg's Police Chief is standing by his request for more police officers, and he's getting support from some neighborhood leaders.

"There's still too much crime in the city of Charlotte and we need to be able to do more to be more aggressive in trying to reduce crime," Chief Rodney Monroe told Eyewitness News on Tuesday.

Monroe is asking the city for $4.5 million to hire 125 more officers to step up his campaign for more police visibility in the community. The timing of the request has raised some eyebrows. Crime statistics released last week show many crime indexes down more than 20 percent across Charlotte, and the request comes as Charlotte City Council is looking at possible budget cuts. But Monroe insists the extra officers are necessary.

"I recognize that very tough choices are going to be made but that shouldn't preclude me from saying what I believe is needed," Monroe said.

At least one influential neighborhood group is lining up behind the request. "We need more officers, no question," said Christy Wright of Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte.

The group has pushed for more crime control and better accountability in the courts since crime jumped significantly last year. Wright said she doesn't completely buy the latest crime numbers, and is supporting the Chief's request because many people she knows say there's still a long way to go.

"Ask everybody on the street whether they feel like this city's gotten materially safer, and the answer is no," said Wright.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Suspected Serial Arsonist Charged in 4 Fires

WCNC: A suspected serial arsonist is in jail after fire investigators say he set at least four fires over the past two years. Charles Winchester, 30, was arrested Sunday.

"Right now, he's charged with four fires, but there may be some other fires that we're able to identify him as well as being responsible for," said David Lowery, chief investigator for the Charlotte Fire Department.

Lowery says so far they've connected Winchester to a fire dating back to 2007. That was a vacant mobile home on Hoskins Road. Detectives with the Arson Task Force say he set another fire at a vacant home on Hovis Road in 2008.

Just last month, police arrested him for setting two separate fires, both within the same week, at a car storage lot on Newberry Street. Fourteen cars were torched. "While nobody was hurt you see a repeated pattern here. Year after year, I mean even from 2007, he's been creating these fires, causing these fires," said Lowery. That is why investigators wanted him off the streets.

"Eventually, if things continued there's a good possibility somebody could've got hurt," said Lowery. "Any person who sets a fire in the city of Charlotte is very dangerous because they're using -- instead of using a gun, they're using an open flame. It's just as dangerous," he said.
Investigators wouldn't say how Winchester allegedly set the fires.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Suspect charged in Saturday Night Shooting

On February 7, 2009 at 9:57 pm, a shooting occurred at 3707 Lynette Court. When officers arrived on scene they located Dominque McGriff suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and Angela Barnett suffering from a superficial wound.

Based on the initial investigation, witnesses advised the suspect, Rinicci Sarratt had been firing a weapon in the neighborhood throughout the day. McGriff confronted Sarratt about firing the weapon and a physical altercation between the two ensued.
Sarratt then left the area and later returned with a handgun and fired the weapon at McGriff striking him once in the right side of his chest and the second round going through the back windshield of a vehicle Barnett was sitting in.

Mr. McGriff was treated on scene by Medic and transported to Carolinas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

ADW Unit detectives signed warrants on Mr. Sarratt and was taken into police custody a short time later. Sarratt was charged with two felony counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill (ADWIKISI).

Friday, February 6, 2009

Murder Suspects Released from Jail

WBTV: The two men suspected of killing UNCC student Irina Yarmolenko are now out of jail. Mark Carver was released from the Gaston County Jail Friday morning. Neal Cassada was released Thursday night. A judge reduced their bonds from one million dollars each to $100,000.

The detectives who are working this case are waiting on DNA results from three different items that were found wrapped around Yarmolenko's neck. Those items include some type of bungee cord, the strap of her backpack and strings from her hoodie. They are also waiting on DNA results from underneath Yarmolenko's fingernails.

- More Info @ News 14 Carolina & WBTV

Eastway Division Crime Alert

The Eastway Division has recently developed information that a group of individuals are possibly committing burglaries and larcenies from vehicles in the Eastway Division. These subjects are known to operate a 1998 burgundy Chevrolet Lumina.

If you see a similar vehicle driving suspiciously through your neighborhood please call 911 immediately. Please do not confront these subjects. Some of them have extensive criminal histories and may pose a threat if confronted.

As always, we encourage residents to report suspicious activity using 911. These activities would include:
- Unknown subjects knocking on doors
- Unknown subjects walking behind houses
- Vehicles driving slowly through your neighborhood, possibly driving past multiple times

Suspect sentenced in a Rape Cold Case

On 11-5-1994, a 17 yr old female was attacked inside her home by a male acquaintance who she knew by an alias name. The suspect tied the victim up with an electrical cord and sexually assaulted her. He was armed with a pistol and attempted to shoot the victim more than once as she fought back. He missed with his shots but was able to strike the victim several times in the head with the pistol itself.

Based on the initial investigation a potential suspect was identified as: Rodney Labrinth Miller. Mr. Miller appeared to have left North Carolina and the case remained open pending further developments.

The Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit obtained a positive forensic match to Miller and prepared the case for prosecution. The Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office accepted the case for prosecution and warrants were signed on April 28th 2006. Mr. Miller was charged with Attempted Murder, ADW with the Intent to Kill and Inflicting Serious Injury, 1st degree Rape, 1st degree Sex Offense and 1st degree Kidnapping.

Mr. Miller was arrested in Shreveport, LA and returned to Charlotte in July 2008.

On Feb 6th, 2009, Rodney Miller appeared in the Mecklenburg County Superior Court and pled guilty to the above incident. Rodney Miller was sentenced to 22 yrs to 27 years in NC Department of Corrections.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

CMPD - Crime Statistics Summary for January 2009

In the month of January, the preliminary total for Index Offenses was -22.7% lower than the same month last year.

- Property crime was down -21.5% while violent crime was down -31.5%.
- Six homicides were reported in January compared to 6 in the same period in 2008.

Two of the other violent Index crime categories experienced decreases over the same month last year, while one showed an increase:

- Total robberies decreased -15.3%.
- The number of rape offenses increased +5.6%.
- Aggravated assaults declined -44.9%.

Burglary overall in the first month of the year was down -27.7%, with decreases of -30.8% in residential and a decrease of -17.8% in commercial cases.

- Reports of vehicle thefts decreased by -33.1% this January.
- Total larceny cases declined by -16.9% with the larcenies from auto down by -20.3%.
- Arson declined through August by -8.0%

More Resources on CMPD Crime Stats:

- View Overall Index Report for January 2009
- Overall and Division Summary Report for January 2009
- 2008 Year-End Report -- Overall and Division Summary

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Vice and Narcotics Unit Makes Large Cash/Drug Seizure

On January 28, 2009 the Vice and Narcotics Division was conducting an undercover buy operation in the 4900 block of Central Avenue when two men attempted to sell detectives approximately 9 ounces of cocaine. As a result Homero Cortez and Evis Hernandez were arrested and charged with Trafficking Cocaine.

As a result of the buy operation, detectives conducted a search at 7444 Prindle Lake Drive, where Mr. Cortez lived and seized an additional 9 ounces of cocaine and 20 lbs. of marijuana that had been packaged for sale.

While following up on the search at Prindle Lake Drive in the early morning hours of January 29th, detectives obtained a search warrant for 6831 Sunman Road. Once inside, detectives found 13 kilos of cocaine, four firearms, two vehicles and $85,881 in cash. Two suspects, Miquel Santibanez-Velazquez and Macario Sanchez-Rivera, were arrested and charged with Trafficking Cocaine.

The street value for the cocaine is $1,350,000 and the marijuana is $24,000.