Charlotte Thug Arrested in GA for Murder & 8 Armored Truck Robberies

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office made a deal with the devil three years ago when they allowed Stacey Lamont Dooley to plea down a murder charge to possession of a firearm by a felon. Dooley shot and killed Byron Lisenby on Booker Avenue in 2006.

Dooley plead guilty, received supervised probation and skipped town...

On Wednesday morning, authorities in Georgia arrested Dooley and charged him with a series of at least eight violent armored car and ATM robberies; including one robbery that left an armored truck guard, Sgt. Gary Castillo dead. The robberies date back to the fall of 2010.

Stacey Dooley must have worn a rubber suit in the Mecklenburg County courthouse because he has faced 42+ charges since 1992; however, he was only convicted or plead guilty to 5 of those charges and has never spent a minute in a NC Prison.

I don't know of a better example to show you how despicable our DA's Office is/was and WHY we have so many repeat offenders out on the streets committing crimes repeatedly!

CMPD Officers Arrest Woman for B&E at T-Mobile Store

University City Division officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested Anita Rochelle Long.

On March 25, 2011, at approximately 1:00 am, Officers were dispatched to a Breaking and Entering call at the T-Mobile store located at 8821 J.W. Clay Blvd. When officers arrived at the location they observed the front door was shattered with what appeared to be a large rock. Management advised officers that several laptops and electronic tablets appeared to be missing.

A witness stated they heard the store alarm activate and observed a dark colored minivan speed off from the location. Officers located a vehicle matching the description in a cul-de-sac on Doug Mayes Place and observed several laptops and electronic tablets inside of vehicle.

Anita Rochelle Long was detained and confessed to the crime. Long has been charged with Breaking and Entering with Force, Conspiracy and Larceny.

If it had not been for an alert witness willing to get involved, this subject may still be free to victimize another person in our community. Kudos to the reporting citizen!!

CMPD Arrests Four Men for Armed Robbery on Nobles Ave

On Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at approx. 10:00 pm, CMPD officers were dispatched to a robbery from person call in the 3100 block Nobles Avenue. A victim told officers that he and a friend were walking at the location when two men approached them at gun point and robbed them.

The victims witnessed the suspects get into a minivan occupied by two other men and drive off. A description of the vehicle went out over the air and moments later an officer got behind the suspected minivan and conducted a traffic stop on Morning Drive.

The victims were transported to the scene and positively identified the individuals as the suspects involved in the robbery. Westover Division officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested Kevin Sims, Laerek Williams, Joseph Banks (15 arrests in the past 3 years) and Jervare Wise. All four suspects have been charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.

If anyone has additional information about this case or any other case, they may leave an anonymous tip on CMPD's Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 704-334-1600 or go to: http://www.charlottecrimestoppers.com

Fight at Vance High School Ends in Three Teen Arrests

Early this morning, CMPD Officers were dispatched to CMS' Zebulon B. Vance High School after a fight occurred amongst several teens in the school cafeteria. Vance High School is located in the 7600 block of IBM Road which is off West WT Harris Boulevard.

Police have charged three teens in connection with the fight. Donovan Meeks, 17, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. DaQuan Davidson, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct. Daunte Conner, 17, was charged with damage to property (for breaking a window in the cafeteria) and disorderly conduct.

A CMS' Spokeswoman said the CMPD Officers & CMS School Resource Officers were able to quickly control the situation and there were no injures as a result of the fight.

* Check out the The Meck Deck's blog post on the topic..

Thin Blue Line Ride this Saturday! Register or Donate Today!

3rd Annual Thin Blue Line Ride
* Saturday, April 2, 2011 *

'The Thin Blue Line Ride' was created by The Forever Blue Foundation and The April Five Organization to assist sworn officers of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who have sustained injuries in the line of duty and to help the families of law enforcement officers who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

The Forever Blue Foundation and The April Five Organization have partnered with Harley Davidson of Charlotte to raise funds for the families of fallen officers and officers injured in the line of duty. Not only are you honoring these heroes by riding with us, you are supporting all the men and women in uniform who protect and serve each one of us on a daily basis.

*If you can't participate... Grab your family, friends, neighbors and flags to stand by the road and show your support of the riders and our men and women in blue! * (Click here to view Route)

I hope to see you there!!!

Felony Probation Violations: Report for March 21-24

The following is a summary of the felony probation violation cases handled during the week of March 21-24, 2011. The Honorable H. William Constangy, Superior Court Judge presided.

One-hundred eighty-nine (189) defendants came before the court.
* 32 were scheduled for a probable cause hearing after a recent arrest for a probation violation.
* 41 had their hearing date continued after a motion by the State or Defendant
* 107 admitted violating probation
* 1 denied violating probation and had a hearing and were found in violation by the judge
* 16 were on for a review set by a previous judge, had an order for arrest issued for failing to appear, or fall within another miscellaneous category
* 23 had their probation terminated by the judge
* 39 were revoked from probation by the judge (if probation is revoked, the defendant is sent to prison to serve the previously suspended prison sentence)
* 46 were not revoked from probation by the judge; instead, they were continued on supervised probation under the same or additional conditions.

Notes about Probation Violations: Generally, felony probation violation cases are scheduled every other week in courtroom 5170; the cases are heard Monday through Thursday. Each Friday of these weeks the courtroom is used for felony guilty pleas or to hear Motions for Appropriate Relief (see N.C.G.S. 15A-1411 through -1422). In response to a felony probation violation, a defendant may admit or deny the violation(s). If the defendant admits the violation(s), the presiding judge determines whether to revoke the defendant’s probation and send him/her to prison, whether to continue the defendant on supervised probation under the same or additional terms, or whether to terminate (end) the supervision.

If a defendant denies the violation(s), a hearing is held in which the probation officer usually testifies. If the defendant is found by the judge to be in willful violation of his/her terms of probation, the judge will take one of the same actions described above. The DA’s Office does not have the power to dismiss, or negotiate the outcome of, a probation violation. A previous sentencing judge has issued an Order placing the defendant on probation and all violations of that term of probation are alleged by the probation officer and brought before a judge to determine whether a violation exist and, if so, what action should be taken against the defendant for the violation.

NC's 'Booze It & Lose It' Campaign Nets 1,000+ DWI Arrests

NC State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced today that state and local law enforcement officers cited 1,013 motorists for driving while impaired during the St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, which ran March 11-17th. A total of 32,579 traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide.

“This life saving campaign removed more than 1,000 impaired drivers, which resulted in countless lives saved,” Conti said. “I appreciate the extra time and attention state and local law enforcement officers contributed last week to make sure North Carolinians stayed safe.”

During the Governor’s Highway Safety Program campaign, officers statewide conducted 2,618 sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols. Counties with the highest number of DWI citations were: Mecklenburg (124), Wake (94) and Buncombe (40).

Officers also issued 2,485 safety belt and 355 child passenger safety violations, 9,475 speeding violations and 752 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 490 fugitives from justice and recovered 24 stolen vehicles. For county-by-county citation totals, visit the GHSP Website.

Detectives are Conducting a Domestic Murder Investigation on Mt. Holly Rd

UPDATE: Family notification has been made; the victim has been identified as Andrew Alan Nichols. The suspect in this case, Traci Annette Bell has been charged with murder. This case is a domestic related incident.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into a shooting that occurred at 7214 Mount Holly Road. The incident was reported at 3:47 am, March 22, 2011. The victim has been identified; pending family notification, the name will be released.

Freedom Division officers responded to an A/D/W call for service in reference to a male subject who had been shot. Upon their arrival, officers located a subject suffering from a gunshot wound outside of the residence. Medic arrived and pronounced the subject on scene. Investigators are conducting interviews to determine the events that lead up to the call for service.

At this point, there is no reason to believe this is a random act of violence. Currently, detectives are not looking for any suspects. Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to collect physical evidence and photograph the scene. Child Development-Community Policing is on scene to provide assistance for the children located at the residence.

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

CMPD Detectives Conducting a Double Murder Investigation

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department ADW and Homicide Units are conducting a death investigation at North Tryon and 24th Streets. The call for service came in at 2:29 a.m., on Monday, March 21, 2011. Two deceased victims were located in the vehicle and are identified as Luis Aguilar-Amezcua and Omar Mendez-Delacruz.

Metro Division officers received a call for service in reference to a personal injury accident of a vehicle that had been traveling inbound on North Tryon Street. The vehicle hit a pole near the intersection of 24th Street. Upon arrival, officers located a total of four occupants; two deceased of gunshot wounds, one suffering from non-life threatening injuries and transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment, and the last occupant was transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.

At this time, detectives are looking for an older model SUV, possibly white in color and believe this vehicle may have been involved in this incident. Detectives with the Homicide Unit and ADW Unit are on scene conducting the investigation. Crime Scene Search is on scene as well, photographing the scene and collecting physical evidence.

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

CMPD Conducting an Armed Robbery & Police Shooting Investigation on West Trade Street

UPDATE:  (5/20/2011) - Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Internal Affairs and Homicide Units have concluded their investigation concerning an excessive use of force allegation involving CMPD officers. On March 20, 2011, officers attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Malcolm Xavier Springs. The suspect fled the scene after shooting a man on West Trade Street. Springs subsequently jumped from the vehicle, leading officers on brief foot pursuit. The gunman, still armed at the time, eluded officers by running into a residential neighborhood on Garibaldi Avenue.


Steele Creek Officer B. Harrison located the suspect a short time later running towards him in between homes on Garibaldi Avenue. Springs confronted the officer and fired his weapon striking Officer Harrison in the leg. Officer Harrison fell to the ground, but managed to return fire from a prone position striking the suspect in the torso. Additional officers responded and saw that Officer Harrison was shot, they observed the suspect running away and gave pursuit on foot. Officers began to struggle with the suspect in an attempt to take him into custody. The suspect refused to obey repeated commands to comply with the officers and submit to arrest. This struggle took place within approximately three feet from the suspect’s weapon which was lying on the ground.

Following the incident, CMPD received information from citizens who stated they observed officers kicking and striking the suspect while he was on the ground. Some witnesses stated officers struck the suspect after he was placed in handcuffs. After learning of these serious allegations, CMPD immediately began to investigate to determine all of the facts and circumstances concerning this incident.


CMPD’s Internal Affairs Division immediately began the investigation and collaborated with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, FBI, US Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, due to the seriousness of the allegations that were made.


Investigators immediately returned to the neighborhood in an effort to locate individuals who witnessed the incident. Investigators interviewed a multitude of witnesses. Several of these individuals were interviewed as many as three times in an effort to ensure all information was obtained. Malcolm Xavier Springs was interviewed by Internal Affairs investigators on two separate occasions. Additionally, CMPD utilized the media asking anyone in the public who may have witnessed the incident to come forward or call a hotline CMPD dedicated specifically to this investigation.


Several canvasses of the area and neighborhood were conducted at different times of the day and night to give investigators several different perspectives of the crime scene. These canvasses included retracing the paths of the vehicle and foot pursuits as well as the area of Malcolm Spring’s apprehension. Locations that were retraced included streets, heavily wooded areas and fence lines. The police chief himself retraced these locations several times in an effort to ensure investigators had the proper resources and staff they needed to conduct a thorough investigation. More than 600 pages of information including documents, statements and photographs were generated during the course of this very comprehensive investigation.


The investigation confirmed officers did strike and kick the suspect during the struggle and that these strikes and kicks were delivered to maintain control of the suspect and to prevent him from gaining access to the weapon during the apprehension. These strikes and kicks were justified according to departmental policy and training. It was also determined that officers did not strike or kick the suspect after he was placed in handcuffs.


Investigators found no evidence to support the allegations of excessive use of force by the officers on the scene. This conclusion was determined after investigators reviewed the consistency of all statements from witnesses, police, fire and medic personnel who were on the scene of the incident as well as the hospital staff who treated the suspect. The review of medical records, photographs, audio and video recordings were also critical in determining the facts of this case. Investigators concluded that the officers involved utilized the reasonable amount of force necessary consistent with departmental policy and training. A review will take place to determine whether any enhanced training would be necessary concerning officers’ communication with each other when arresting a combative suspect. In addition, the manner in which officers give verbal commands to combative suspects will be reviewed.


“The actions of our officers were lawful, proper, and just, and they fell within CMPD’s use of force guidelines. I want to assure the public that we do not take allegations of this nature lightly and that we always will conduct an aggressive and thorough investigation,” stated Chief Rodney D. Monroe, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. In addition, I want to thank our citizens for their support which played a key role during the investigation. I encourage the public to always come forward with any information that would be beneficial to an ongoing departmental investigation. We have a responsibility to work together, police and citizens alike, to keep our community safe.”
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's A/D/W and Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into a shooting that occurred at 1419 West Trade Street in the Metro Division. The suspect, Malcolm Xavier Springs, was transported to CMC for the treatment of serious injuries. He was released from the hospital on March 22nd and booked in the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Upon the officers’ arrival, a witness advised them of the suspect vehicle description. A BOLO (be on the lookout) was disseminated throughout the city. A short time later, an officer observed a vehicle matching the description and attempted to make a traffic stop near Highland Street and Marlowe Avenue, when the suspect jumped and ran from the vehicle.

Officers engaged in a short foot pursuit before the suspect eluded them. Canine Officers and the Aviation Unit were dispatched along with other officers to set up a perimeter to locate the suspect. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was located between homes on Garibaldi Avenue.

The suspect, Malcolm Xavier Springs, who was armed with a handgun, fired his weapon at Officer B. Harrison, striking him in the right leg. The officer returned fire and struck the suspect in the lower torso. The officer was transported to Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of life threatening injuries.

Investigators with the Internal Affairs Unit are on scene conducting a parallel investigation. It is standard procedure for Internal Affairs to investigate any time an officer discharges their weapon to ensure all CMPD policies and procedures have been followed.

If you have any information about any of the events that occurred, please call Detective Osorio at 704-432-TIPS, Internal Affairs at 704-336-2336 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 if they have any information regarding the events listed above. The confidentiality of each person who calls to speak to a detective is assured!!

CMPD's Chief Monroe Lied to City Council about TSA Report

As most of you know, I am not a fan of CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe. Since Monroe took office, Charlotte's crime stats have miraculously dropped to an all time low and I know he is 'cooking the books,' so to speak.

Here is just another example of why we cannot trust Chief Monroe:

Chief Rodney Monroe and City Manager Curt Walton both lied when they told Charlotte City Council members that an investigative report into how 16-year old Delvonte Tisdale breached security at Charlotte/Douglas airport had been 'classified or sealed' by the TSA/United States government. Not True!

Good Read: Cedar Posts and Barbwire Fences Blog

CMPD Seeking Help in Identifying Female Found Deceased

UPDATE: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is requesting assistance with the identification of an unknown female found deceased on March 17th at 10145 Statesville Avenue.

Anyone with information about the listed victim wearing the clothing described below and shown in the attached photographs is requested to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

The victim is described as a non African-American Female (Possibly White or Hispanic), 20-40 years of age, Straight dark hair. The clothing she was wearing is described as a white t-shirt with “Virginia Beach, Virginia” and a pink flower on the front, jeans and Navy and Plaid Boat Canvass Shoes. (Shown Photos)
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into human skeletal remains which were found in the woods at Statesville Road and East I-485. The remains were located in the woods at 10:28 a.m., on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

North Division officers received a call for service in reference to skeletal remains found in the woods. When they arrived, they found skeletal remains which were subsequently determined to be human. The remains have been taken to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office who is responsible for determining the cause of death and approximate date of death. The Homicide Unit will work closely with the Missing Persons Unit to review missing person cases which may be related to this case.

Detectives with the Homicide Unit are on scene conducting the investigation. The Civil Emergency Unit is on scene to conduct a grid search in a large wooded area.

Support Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers!

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers is an identity-protected means of reporting information regarding a crime AND it also rewards citizens whose tip result in an arrest.

WHERE DOES CRIME STOPPERS GET ITS FUNDING? Funding of Crime Stoppers is provided through contributions by private individuals, businesses, fund-raising events, and grants. Your donation is important to the ongoing success of Crime Stoppers is making our community a safer place to live.

Crime Stoppers relies heavily on contributions such as yours to reward tipsters and to fund the highly successful Campus Crime Stopper program. You may make a donation either by mail or on the website via paypal. Checks can be made out to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers and sent to P.O. Box 34392, Charlotte, NC 28234.

NON PROFIT STATUS: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers is a non-governmental, non-profit 501(c) (3) agency led by a volunteer 18-member board of directors. All contributions to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers are fully tax deductible.

HAVE A TIP?

TEXT: Text a tip to CRIMES (274637). Use TIP372 at the start of your message.
ONLINE: Submit information online at www.cmpd.org and click on the Crime Stoppers Link.
HOTLINE: Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at (704) 334-1600.

Multi-Vehicle Accident Kills 1; Injures 2 Police Officers & 6 Others

UPDATE: The driver of the 4-Runner was arrested and charged with Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle and No Operators License. The driver has been identified as Delvin Joel Marin Contreras.
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On Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 7:20 a.m., Patrol Officer Jeff Templeton with the Central Division responded to a disabled vehicle, a Chevy Impala, on the outer loop of I-277 approaching Carson Boulevard. The disabled vehicle, occupied by a driver and two passengers, was parked on the left side of the roadway in the breakdown lane, out of the travel lanes.

Officer Templeton exited his vehicle and began to assist the motorist. Moments later, a Toyota Camry crashed into the rear of Officer Templeton’s marked CMPD cruiser; Officer Templeton was outside the vehicle at the time of the crash. The Toyota Camry was occupied by a driver and three passengers.

Westover Division Officer Chris Kunz, who was off duty at the time, was passing by in his personal vehicle and stopped to assist Officer Templeton. Officer Kunz parked his vehicle and began to assist Officer Templeton and the other motorists. Moments later, a Toyota 4-Runner crashed into the right rear of the Toyota Camry which had initially crashed into Officer Templeton’s police cruiser.

As a result of this crash, the driver of the Toyota Camry, who was now standing on the roadway talking to the officers, was struck and killed by the Toyota 4Runner. Officers Templeton and Kunz were also struck during this second collision and were transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Officer Kunz’ unoccupied personal vehicle was then struck by a cab driver traveling along I-277 at the conclusion of the first two crashes; there were a total of three crashes during this incident. A total of eight patients were transported to area hospitals for treatment; the two officers, three passengers from the Toyota Camry and three occupants of the Chevy Impala. There were a total of four occupants in the Toyota 4Runner, none of which were transported to a hospital. Officer Templeton has been with the CMPD since December 9, 1992. Officer Kunz has been with the CMPD since September 8, 2008.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Major Crash Investigations Unit is on scene investigating the incident and will release additional information as it becomes available. The deceased driver of the Toyota Camry has been identified as William Alan Sweezer.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective Oberer at 704-432-2169. If you would like to help the officers injured in the crash, please contact the April Five Organization.

Man Arrested for Brutal Attack at EpiCentre

Detectives with CMPD's Assault with a Deadly Weapon Unit (ADW) have arrested Casey Rhyne and charged him with Felony Assault- Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury in reference to a brutal assault which took place at the EpiCentre, located at 210 East Trade Street on December 20, 2010. Police say a witness came forward and identified Rhyne as Moudarrir's attacker.

The victim in this incident, Yacine Moudarrir, is still receiving rehabilitation for the brain injury caused by the assault. Moudarrir was in a coma for several weeks after the beating.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact A/D/W Detective Brandy Lingle at 704-432-3427.

WANTED: Tyrone Patterson - Removed Electronic Monitoring Device

Tyrone V. Patterson is wanted by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) on outstanding warrants for interfering with an electronic monitoring device, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and Felony Possession of Stolen Goods.

Patterson was on CMPD Electronic Monitoring while out on bond for pending burglary charges but on March 10th at 6:10 pm, the suspect cut off his court ordered monitor in the 4300 Block of Rolling Hill Drive off Sugar Creek Road and is currently on the run. Patterson was in custody pending trial for a residential burglary in the Providence Division in January 2011.

Patterson has an extensive criminal history including 13 arrests in Mecklenburg County. Patterson last known location was at 3029 Clemson Avenue. Patterson frequents the North Tryon division around the intersection of North Tryon and Sugar Creek Road.

Anyone with information on Patterson’s whereabouts should immediately contact the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) at (704) 336-VACT or call 911.

Man Shoots & Kills Roommate on Hornet Dr

UPDATE: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives have charged Robert Lee Parker with the murder of Richard Dean Alwiel.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting a death investigation at 5808 Hornet Drive in the North Division. The incident was reported at 4:56 p.m., on Tuesday, March 8th. The deceased has been positively identified as Richard Dean Alwiel, 49.

North Division officers responded to a call for service reporting that someone had been shot. When the officers arrived on scene, they entered the house and found the victim lying on the floor in the kitchen suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced deceased by Medic at 5:12 p.m.

Witnesses at the residence gave the officers a description of the shooter and stated that he ran from the house on foot after the shooting. Officers located the shooter moments later and transported him to police headquarters for questioning. Witnesses to the shooting will be transported to police headquarters for questioning as well. At this early point in the investigation, it is apparent that this is not a random act of violence as the deceased and the shooter were known to each other.

Murder Case Resolved by Plea after Jury Fails to Reach Verdict

Vernon Steward, 58, plead guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of Ms. Lisa Dorothy Blackmon. The Honorable Robert T. Sumner, Superior Court Judge, imposed a sentence of 108 to 139 months in prison. This sentence is in the aggravated range of North Carolina’s statutory structured sentencing guidelines.

Ms. Blackmon was killed by Stewart on April 1, 2007, and was indicted by the Grand Jury for her murder the same month. Steward was originally tried for the murder of Ms. Blackmon in Mecklenburg County Superior Court in February 2009. The jury in that trial was unable to reach an unanimous verdict and a mistrial was declared by the presiding judge.

City of Charlotte Towing/Boot Ordinance Changes

Please be aware the City of Charlotte's towing/boot ordinance was changed last night after an unanimous vote by Charlotte City Council members. Know your rights so you do not become a victim of predatory towing! I'm only posting some of highlights so please read the entire ordinance to fully educate yourself.

This ordinance only pertains to private lots (i.e., apartment complexes, business or shopping center parking lots, parking lots charging a fee for a space, etc.)

~ SIGN REQUIRED: The notice must be in the form of a sign structure, not less than 24 in. X 24 in. and not larger than 6 sq ft. It must be constructed of metal, plastic or other type of material that is enduring in nature. The sign shall be prominently posted on the private property at each access or curb cut allowing vehicle access to the property and within five ft. of the street right of way line. The notice shall clearly display the following: “tow-away-zone” or “towing enforced.”

~ SET TOWING/BOOT FEES: The fee for a completed trespass tow (the complete removal of a motor vehicle from a private lot) for all motor vehicles shall be $120.00 or less. The fee for storing a towed motor vehicle shall be $15.00 a day and shall not begin for 24 hours from the time the motor vehicle enters the lot. The fee for booting a vehicle shall not exceed $50.00. A booting service must accept cash and all major credit and debit cards.

~ PRACTICES: Any tow service that has initiated a non-consensual trespass tow by securing the motor vehicle to the tow truck but has not completely removed the trespass vehicle from the private lot, shall upon the request of the vehicle owner or operator, release said vehicle without a charge.

Any tow service that is engaged in a trespass tow shall, upon request of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle, permit the owner or operator access to the trespass vehicle for the purpose of retrieving personal property from the vehicle without paying a fee.

Any towing service that engages in a trespass tow or any storage facility that receives motor vehicles that have been towed as a result of a non-consensual tow from private property shall accept cash and all major credit and debit cards.

Any tow service shall have a person on call 24 hours every day who acknowledges requests to retrieve a towed vehicle within 15 minutes of receiving an inquiry from the owner or operator. If the owner or operator wishes to retrieve the motor vehicle, then the tow service or storage facility must make the vehicle available within 45 minutes. The lot or facility to which a trespass towed vehicle is removed shall be located within the city limits of the City of Charlotte.

** I do not like to air my 'dirty laundry' on this blog but I do have to say that I am personally thankful for this ordinance change! Last October, SL Recovery tried to scam me out of $80 when they towed my vehicle from a Colonial Properties apartment complex in Charlotte all the way to Pineville.

I was horrified when they gave me the amount I would have to pay (CASH ONLY) to get my truck back. Thankfully, I went to the internet and found the city tow ordinance and realized this guy was trying to scam me by overcharging for the tow and storage, to the tune of $80.00.

Amazingly, Colonial Properties still uses SL Recovery for monitoring of all it's Charlotte apartment properties but that has to end now since SL Recovery is out of city limits...

Two Violent Felons tried by Jury; Others Plead Guilty

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Crimes Against Persons Team tried two defendants the week of February 28th in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.

Edward Hicks, 32, was tried for 1) attempted murder 2) assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and 3) robbery with a dangerous weapon. A mistrial was declared by The Honorable Yvonne Mims Evans, Superior Court Judge.
Hassan Fisher, 20, was tried for robbery with a dangerous weapon. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. The Honorable F. Lane Williamson, Superior Court Judge, sentenced Fisher to 51-71 months in prison.

Several defendants resolved their cases by guilty plea during the trial week:

Brandon Dansby, 28, plead guilty to robbery with dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and felony breaking or entering. Dansby was sentenced to 127-171 months in prison by Judge Evans.
Darius Williams, 32, plead guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Williams was sentenced to 15-27 months in prison by Judge Evans.
Elmore Kirby III, 38, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Kirby was sentenced by Judge Evans to 29-44 months in prison, suspended for 36 months supervised probation with the condition that he serve 330 days in the county jail.
Justin Slade, 20, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Slade was sentenced to 25-39 months in prison, suspended for 36 months supervised probation by Judge Williamson.
Malena Lewis, 18, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Lewis was sentenced to 25-39 months in prison, suspended for 36 months supervised probation by Judge Williamson.
Logan Nesbitt, 23, pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nesbitt was sentenced by Judge Evans to 16-20 months in prison, suspended for 36 months supervised probation with the condition that he serve 30 days in the county jail.