Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Police Seeking Sexual Assault & Robbery Suspect

Case Update: The Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) worked throughout the weekend and developed information that led to locating Mr. Carter at a hotel in Macon, GA. VCAT immediately coordinated efforts with the Macon Police Department and the US Marshals Service. Investigators with the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force responded to America ’s Best Value Inn, in Macon, to search for Mr. Carter.

While at the hotel, investigators located a vehicle stolen from Charlotte 's Grier Heights neighborhood on February 27th. Investigators observed Mr. Carter come to the vehicle and before they could reach him, he fled from the scene. After a brief pursuit, Mr. Carter fled on foot. Macon Police Department Officers, K-9, Georgia State Patrol and Investigators with the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force searched for several hours, finally locating the fugitive hiding under a house. VCAT will assist the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys' Office in coordinating Carter's extradition back to Charlotte for prosecution.

Detectives from the Sexual Assault and Robbery Units are traveling to Macon , GA today in an attempt to interview Mr. Carter. While Mr. Carter will be charged with the incident that occurred on Ferncliff Drive , detectives will continue to investigate other cases for his involvement.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department would like to extend many thanks to the State Bureau of Investigation, whose Laboratory unit provided expeditious analysis of forensic evidence in this case, and to the Macon Police Department, the United States Marshals Service and the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force Service for helping coordinate the activities that led to Mr. Carter's arrest.
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Case Update: Sexual Assault Unit detectives signed warrants against Jaunton Gregory Carter in regards to the cases involving the hit & run, rape, kidnapping and robberies that occurred on February 22, 2010. The Violent Criminal Apprehension Team has been actively searching for Mr. Carter since late last night. Please contact VCAT at 704-336-VCAT, or simply 911, with any information as to Mr. Carter’s whereabouts.

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) conducts fugitive recovery investigations and operations targeting the most violent offenders operating or located within the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County . The unit maintains sworn status through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal's Service in order to pursue individuals preying upon the citizens of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County wherever they may flee. Mr. Carter should be considered armed and dangerous.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Robbery and Sexual Assault Unit Detectives are investigating two offenses that occurred overnight.

The first offense occurred in the Providence Division at the 3000 block of Ferncliff Rd. Two female victims were driving home at approximately at 2:00 am when their vehicle was struck from behind at the intersection of Runnymeade and Colony Roads. The female driver exits the vehicle and walks back to check for damage where she is confronted by the other driver who is armed with a handgun and demands money. When the females are unable to produce any money, the suspect forces them to drive to an ATM. They were unable to withdraw any funds and the suspect then forced them to drive away from the bank. The suspect directed them to the 3000 block of Ferncliff Road , where he raped the driver and fondled the passenger.

The second offense occurred at the 700 block of McDonald Avenue , which is located in the Westover Division. In this incident, the lone female victim was driving home, when at approximately at 2:35 am, her vehicle was intentionally struck from behind. When the victim exited her vehicle to check for damage, the suspect confronted her with a handgun and demanded money. The victim complied with the request and the suspect immediately left the area.

It is believed that these incidents are related and the suspect is described as being a dark skinned black male, 5’10 in height, thin build with a goatee. He was last seen wearing wearing a black hoody. The vehicle is described as a small dark colored car. The suspect could be possibly following women leaving bars and nightclubs.

We are seeking the public’s assistance. In the first incident, the suspect vehicle was left at the intersection of Runnymeade and Colony Roads and may have appeared to be abandoned between the hours of 2:00 am- 3:00 am. Detectives are also seeking a possible witness to the first offense. A white mini-van was seen at Ferncliff or around the time of the assault. The victim’s vehicle is a small white car.

Detectives from the Sexual Assault and the Robbery Units, along with the Special Victims Unit are actively investigating both incidents. They will be in the area of both crimes canvassing for additional information and witnesses.

We caution that all motorists while driving at night to be aware of your surroundings. If you are involved in an accident, please drive to a well-lighted area that is well populated and call 911 immediately. Be sure to turn your hazard lights on and wait for police to arrive before exiting your vehicle.

Please advise the public to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, if they have any information regarding these cases. The lead detective assigned to this case is Det. C. Owens with the Sexual Assault and can be reached at 704-336-6030 and Sgt. D. Price at 704-336-4188.