CMPD Seeking Robber of Woman on Providence Rd

Robbery Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are asking for assistance in identifying and or locating the whereabouts of the subject shown in the attached photographs.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011, the subject reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint at an ATM located at 7939 Providence Road.

Anyone with information concerning the subject’s identity or whereabouts is asked to forward anonymous tips to the Crime Stoppers tip line at 704-334-1600.

CMPD Seeking Man for Cutting Electronic Monitor

Eric Hill

UPDATE:  9/29- Eric Hill was captured by CMPD.

Eric Hill is wanted by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) for outstanding warrants for interfering with an electronic monitoring device and felony breaking and entering.

On September 27, 2011, Eric Hill cut off his court ordered monitor and is currently on the run. Hill has a history of Breaking and Entering, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Resisting a Public Officer Charges.

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

Detectives are Investigating a Homicide in North Tryon Division

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide and ADW Unit are conducting an investigation into a shooting which left one person deceased. The incident took place at 2705 Milton Road, Apartment 6, in the North Tryon Division. The call for service was reported at 8:53 p.m., on Monday, September 26, 2011. The victim has been positively identified as Jarquis Antoine Howie, 33.

North Tryon Division Officers responded to an apartment at the Hampton Commons Complex to investigate a report of an ADW. When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Witnesses have been transported to police headquarters to provide statements. Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood in an effort to identify any additional witnesses.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Vice, Gang, and K-9 Units responded to the scene along with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team.

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

15-Year Old Kills Parents in Pineville

The Liewald Family

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation at 12313 Buxton Drive, in the South Division. The call for service was reported at 2:05 a.m., on Monday, September 26, 2011. The victims have been positively identified as Christian Hans Liewald and Cassie Meghan Buckaloo.

Homicide Unit Detectives have arrested the suspect,15-year Matthew Liewald and charged him with the Murder of his Father and Step-Mother.  Liewaldhas also been charged with Armed Robbery and Attempted Auto Theft.

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South Division Officers initially responded to a Check the Welfare call placed by a male subject who stated that he needed the police but refused to say why. The subject then called 911 again and stated that he had shot his dad and his step-mother. The subject identified himself and stated that he would be sitting on a nearby street corner waiting for officers to arrive.

When officers arrived on scene, they took the subject into custody. Two officers then drove to the address on Buxton Drive where they found a male and an female, both deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Once officers determined that there were no additional subjects inside the residence they secured the scene and called for the Homicide Unit. The subject who called 911 has been transported to police headquarters. Homicide Unit Detectives will canvass the neighborhood to determine if there are any witnesses to the incident.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Detectives with the Special Victims Division responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

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

* More Info @ Charlotte Observer

Ex-CMPD Officer Shoots Ex-Wife & Self in Davidson

UPDATE II:  9/28- Jeremy Hester has died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.  Erin Cobb remains hospitalized at this time. 


UPDATE I:  The victim has been identified as 28-year old Erin Marie Cobb.  Ms. Cobb remains hospitalized and is in stable/critical condition.  The suspect has been identified as 31-year old Jeremy A. Hester.  Hester remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Jeremy Hester is a former CMPD Police Officer, with his last assignment being a patrol officer with the Metro Division.  He was hired on May 14, 2007, and resigned on March 20, 2010, to pursue other employment opportunities.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and A/D/W Unit are conducting an investigation into a domestic violence related shooting on Callaway Hills Lane in Davidson, NC. The call for service was reported at 2:02 this morning.

Officers with the Davidson, NC, Police Department responded to an ADW-With Injury call and upon arrival encountered a male subject and a female subject in the front yard, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Based upon initial statements of witnesses at the scene, the male subject drove to his ex-wife’s house on Callaway Hills Lane and they got into an argument inside the residence. Witnesses state that moments after they went outside, multiple gunshots were fired.

Based upon evidence gathered at the scene, the male shot his ex-wife in the neck and then turned the gun upon himself, shooting himself in the head. Medic responded to the scene and transported both subjects to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. The victim is currently in critical but stable condition and is out of surgery; the suspect is in critical condition.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Osorio is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Young Girl Killed in Accidental Shooting on Archdale Drive

Editors Note: Please let the following post encourage and remind you to double-check all of your firearm safety devices-- especially of you ever have children in your home!  The CMPD has a great safety resource page on their website and offer FREE gun locks to all citizens at each CMPD division office.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Unit are conducting an investigation into a shooting which left a 4-year old girl dead on Archdale Drive at 1:22 this afternoon.

CMPD Steele Creek Division Officers responded to an apartment at the Highlands Apartment Complex to investigate reports of a shooting with injury.  Officers arrived on the scene to find the CFD and Medic treating a 4-year old girl for a gunshot wound.  She was transported to Carolinas Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.  

Homicide Detectives are in the process of interviewing the other young children and the adult who was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.  A total of 5 children, including the victim, were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting with ages ranging from 6 months to 11 years old.

Detectives charged Mr. Erin Melendez with Storing a Firearm in a Manner Accessible to a Minor.  CMPD says they are not looking for any suspects in connection with what is believed to have been an accidental shooting.

Detectives with the Special Victims Division assisted in the investigation as well as clinicians with the Child Development-Community Policing (CDCP) Program. The CDCP is a partnership between the CMPD and Mecklenburg County Provided Services Organization.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.  Detective Jolly is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Massage Therapist Arrested for Sexual Battery

Joe Martin

A massage therapist from Mooresville, NC is charged with sexual battery after a woman told police Joe Neal Martin, 61, touched her inappropriately during a recent visit to a Cornelius alternative care center.

Cornelius police said Martin is a massage therapist at the Center for Holistic Care which offers natural medicine and alternative treatment programs for various conditions.

A woman reported to police that Martin had inappropriately touched her during a recent visit, said police, who arrested Martin at the Center for Holistic Care.

Joe Martin is in the Mecklenburg jail on a $600 bond. Anyone with information about this incident or any others is asked to call Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773.

Father Charged with Felonious Child Abuse

Terrell Nelson

Terrell Nelson, 27, was arrested early this morning and charged with two counts of felony child abuse- inflicting serious injury.  Nelson is accused of abusing his two 3-month old daughters.

CMPD says the investigation into the child abuse started on Friday after the baby girl's mother, LaShonda Young, found her child unresponsive and called 911.  The baby, Cy'mone Nelson, was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where she was diagnosed with head trauma, facial bruising, left eye damage and a subdural hemorrhage.

After this incident, DSS interviewed the father and checked the other two children for injuries.  Doctors found non-accidental injuries on both of the girls, Caileigh & Cy'mone Nelson but the boy was left unharmed.  According to a search warrant, the injuries to both girls were consistent with "felonious assault" and "non-accidental trauma."

LaShonda Young, the mother of the triplets, told police that she witnessed Terrell Nelson "place tape on the infants pacifiers on more than one occasion,"  During a search of the home, police took pacifiers and roll of tape on the loveseat.

Terrell Nelson is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail on a $70,000 bond and the two infant girls remain in the hospital.

Child Killer Elisa Baker Moved to Charlotte Jail

Elisa Baker

On Monday morning, Elisa Baker was moved from the Catawba County Jail to the Mecklenburg County and booked as a 'Federal Prisoner.'

Last week, Elisa Baker, 43, plead guilty to second degree murder after she killed and dismembered her disabled 10-year-old stepdaughter, Zahra Baker.  She was sentenced to 14-18 years in jail.  (Not justice in my opinion!)

Federal Authorities estimated Elisa Baker will stay in the Mecklenburg County Jail until her scheduled court date in Statesville, NC in November.

Chick-Fil-A Burglarized by Thief Climbing in thru Drive-Thru Window

Around 4am this morning, a burglar climbed into the drive-thru window at the Chick-Fil-A, located at 9731 Callabridge Ct.

According to CMPD, the victim advised the burglary suspect crawled into the drive-thru window and stole over $6,700 in cash along with a safe valued at nearly $3,000 and an IPAD. 

If you have any information about this burglary, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Habitual Felons Convicted after Jury Trials

The DA’s Habitual Felon Team called five cases for trial the week of September 12, 2011. The trials were held in courtroom 5130 before the Honorable W. Robert Bell, Superior Court Judge, courtroom 5150 before the Honorable Richard D. Boner, Chief Resident Superior Court Judge, and courtroom 5370 before the Honorable Yvonne Mims Evans, Superior Court Judge.

Koron Osborne

Cleveland Williams, 36, was tried for 1) possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, 2) trafficking in cocaine, and 3) being a habitual felon. The jury returned verdicts of guilty to the two felony charges. Williams admitted his status as a habitual felon. Judge Boner sentenced Williams to 84-110 months in prison. Some of Williams’ prior convictions include possession with intent to sell or deliver controlled substances and aggravated robbery.

Mary Coleman Grier, 61, was tried for 1) larceny of a chose in action, 2) forgery, 3) uttering a forged instrument, and 4) being a habitual felon. The jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts. Judge Bell sentenced Grier at the top of the aggravated range to 182-228 months in prison. Grier has over fifty prior convictions for uttering, forgery, and false pretense. She has previously been convicted and served a sentence as a habitual felon. In committing her crimes, Grier has regularly targeted elderly citizens in our county.

WANTED: John Mayhew

Demontrise Davis, 28, was tried for 1) possession of cocaine and 2) being a habitual felon. A mistrial was declared after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Jose Williams, 29, was called for trial. He changed his previous plea of not guilty and entered a plea of guilty as charged to 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) larceny after breaking or entering, 3) possession of stolen goods, 4) possession of marijuana, 5)possession of drug paraphernalia, 6) resisting a public officer, and 7) being a habitual felon. Judge Boner sentenced Williams to 60-81 months in prison.

Koron Osborne, 44, was called for trial and failed to appear. Judge Bell issued an order for his arrest.

John Mayhew, 31, was called for trial and failed to appear. Judge Evans issued an order for his arrest.

Man Shot and Killed at University Gardens Apartments

Chapman

UPDATE: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Detectives have arrested and charged Roshode Chapman with the murder of Mr. Bouldin.  Mr. Chapman and Mr. Bouldin were known associates to each other. Mr. Chapman will be transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he will remain in their custody.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit are conducting an investigation into a shooting in the 3100 block of Southwest Boulevard in the Metro Division at the University Gardens Apartment complex. The call for service was reported at 1:49 a.m., on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. The deceased has been identified as Rashan Malik Bouldin.

Metro Division Officers, in the neighborhood for an unrelated call for service, heard multiple shots fired in the area and responded to the apartment complex where they found Mr. Bouldin suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. As officers arrived at the scene, they saw a black male run from the scene. They immediately sealed off the crime scene and called for the K-9 Unit to assist in tracking the male who ran from the scene. Medic arrived on scene shortly after patrol officers and pronounced Mr. Bouldin deceased at 1:57 a.m.

Less than an hour later, a male subject called 911 to report that he was involved in the incident on Southwest Boulevard. Officers responded to his location and transported him voluntarily to Police Headquarters to be interviewed by detectives. Homicide Unit Detectives are canvassing the complex to determine if there are additional witnesses to the incident who have yet to come forward.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Brewington is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

CMPD Seeking Robbery Suspect- Electronic Monitor Cut & Run

Tracy Harold

UPDATE:  9/13/11- CMPD re-captured Tracy Harold.

Tracy Harold is wanted by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) for outstanding warrants for interfering with an electronic monitoring device, damage to property and armed robbery.

Harold has been on CMPD electronic monitoring since his August 25, 2011 release from jail on a $25,000 bond for a pending armed robbery charge. On September 12, 2011 Harold cut off his court ordered monitor and is currently on the run. Harold was last seen in the area of W.T. Harris Boulevard and Albemarle Road.

Tracy Harold has previously been arrested for felony drug and weapon charges in Mecklenburg County. Anyone with information on Harold’s whereabouts should immediately contact the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) at (704) 336-VACT or call 911.

CMPD Officer Involved Shooting in Eastway Division

Courtney Miller

UPDATES:  Homicide Unit Detectives have made four arrests in reference to the Armed Robbery from person that occurred prior to the officer involved shooting.  Eastway Division officers arrested Ronald DeWayne Deese at the scene and detained LaToya McRae.

Homicide Unit Detectives identified the remaining two suspects, LC Melton and Courtney Skie Miller and signed Armed Robbery warrants on all four suspects. The Violent Criminal Apprehension Team later arrested Mr. Melton and Ms. Miller on a traffic stop.

Officer Joshua Skipper was the first officer to arrive on scene and make contact with the robbery victim and the occupants of the suspect vehicle. As Officer Skipper waited on his backup to arrive, one of the suspects ran from the scene. Officer Skipper chased after him and a scuffle ensued on the ground as Officer Skipper attempted to place the suspect in handcuffs.

LaToya McRae

The robbery victim followed Officer Skipper as he attempted to arrest the suspect who fled the scene. Moments later, Officer Blue arrived on scene and ran towards Officer Skipper to assist placing the suspect in custody. Officer Skipper carries a backup pistol, as allowed by CMPD Directives, which came out of his holster unbeknownst to Officer Skipper while placing the suspect under arrest. The robbery victim picked up Officer Skipper’s backup pistol and walked back towards the suspect vehicle and pointed it at the suspect who remained at the vehicle. Officer Skipper then noticed that the robbery victim was pointing a handgun at the suspect who remained at the vehicle.

Officer Skipper told Officer Blue to tell the man to drop the weapon. Officer Blue at the time was unaware that the man holding the gun was in fact the victim of a robbery. Officer Blue repeatedly commanded the robbery victim to drop the weapon, at which time the robbery victim turned towards the officers and pointed the weapon directly at them. Officer Blue then fired his weapon three times at the victim, striking him once in the leg. The officers called Medic for the victim and he was transported to CMC where he was treated and released.  Officer Blue is on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation into the shooting.

There will be no charges filed against the robbery victim.
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LC Melton

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and ADW Unit are conducting an investigation into an officer involved shooting in the 4900 block of Central Avenue at the Central Pointe Apartment Complex. The call for service was reported at 3:22 a.m., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. The subject who was shot has been transported to Carolinas Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury to the leg.

Eastway Division Officers responded to a call for service in reference to a robbery. Upon arrival, the first responding officer encountered a vehicle in the parking lot outside 4903 Central Avenue and a subject pointing towards the car. As additional officers arrived, multiple suspects jumped from the vehicle and ran from the scene.

A scuffle ensued on the ground as an officer attempted to take one of the vehicle’s occupants into custody. Officer Prince Blue noticed a subject standing nearby holding a handgun and ordered him to drop the weapon multiple times. After seeing the subject raise the handgun, point it in the direction of officers and refuse to drop the handgun, Officer Blue fired his pistol at least once, striking him once in the leg. Medic responded to the scene and transported the subject to Carolinas Medical Center. Two vehicle occupants have been detained. Detectives are canvassing the complex to determine if there are any additional witnesses to this incident.

Ronald Deese

Officer Prince Blue has been a member of the CMPD since September 14, 2009. He is currently assigned to the Eastway Division as a Patrol Officer. Detectives with the Homicide Unit are conducting the shooting investigation while Detectives with the Internal Affairs Unit will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine whether or not CMPD policies and procedures were adhered to during the course of the incident.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Fitch is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Man Charged after Abused Child Dies at CMC

Romero

UPDATE:  Thursday, September 22-  Homicide Unit Detectives have arrested Ariacna Janet Romero and charged her with Accessory after the Fact (Felony) in relation to the murder of her son, Demytre Rashaad Pendleton Jr.

On August 24, 2011, at 10:24 pm, Steele Creek Division officers responded to Carolinas Medical Center–Main in reference to a two year old male, Demytre Rashaad Pendleton Jr., who was admitted to the hospital with a skull fracture. Demytre had several bruises and a skull fracture that were deemed possibly consistent with a fall.

Detectives with the Youth Crimes Unit were assigned to investigate the incident. Demytre was subsequently treated and released from CMC, while the detectives continued their investigation.
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On September 7, 2011, at 7:18 pm, Detectives with the Youth Crimes Unit were dispatched to Carolinas Medical Center-Main in reference to Demytre being brought back to the hospital by his mother on September 6, 2011. Demytre was brought to Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville and then flown by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center-Main, where an examination revealed new injuries that were severe enough to contact the CMPD. Demytre passed away early on September 9, 2011, as a result of his injuries.

Homicide Unit Detectives have charged James Gregory Cleveland with Felony Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury or Mental or Emotional Injury and Murder in relation to the death of Demytre Rashaad Pendleton. Mr. Cleveland has been transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he will remain in their custody. Mr. Cleveland is a friend of Demytre’s mother; he is not related to Demytre.

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

Police Seeking Large Suspect Caught on Camera During Break-In

During the evening hours on September 8th and into the early morning hours on September 9, 2011; there were multiple burglaries in the areas of Harvard Place and Ardsley Road in the Providence Division.  The person of interest was photographed during the burglaries.

If you have any information regarding the below pictured suspect, please contact 911 immediately or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Man on Electronic Monitoring Commits Robbery

Malcolm Tymell Dukes

Around 1:30 pm, Robbery Unit Detectives, Electronic Monitoring Unit Detectives and North Tryon Division Officers gathered information and apprehended Malcolm Dukes for Attempt to Commit Robbery, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

During the robbery, Mr. Dukes and a juvenile suspect approached the victim, pointed a handgun at him and demanded his electronic equipment. The victim handed over his belongings and Mr. Dukes fled the scene. During this incident, the victim was able to notice the suspect was wearing an Electronic Monitor (EM).

At 2:21 p.m., Mr. Dukes and the juvenile suspect accosted another victim by pointing a gun and demanding money. The suspects were not able to retrieve any belongings from the victim. Upon officers arrival, the victim was able to provide a description of the suspect and advise of the Electronic Monitor.

Officers alerted Electronic Monitoring and Robbery Unit Detectives immediately and they began tracking the whereabouts of Mr. Dukes by his electronic monitor. While detectives were tracking his location, officers were en-route and were able to apprehend and arrest both suspects without incident.

Mr. Dukes was on Electronic Monitoring for a prior robbery he committed in June. The juvenile was on probation for prior Breaking and Entering arrests. Mr. Dukes has been transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he will remain in their custody; the juvenile has been transported to Gaston Juvenile Detention Center.

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

Several Habitual Felons Sentenced in Court

The District Attorney’s Habitual Felon Team called multiple cases for trial the week of August 15, 2011, at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. The trials were held before The Honorable Richard D. Boner, The Honorable F. Lane Williamson and The Honorable Yvonne Mims Evans, Superior Court Judges.

Haywood Reid

Demontrise Davis, 29, was tried for possession of cocaine. A mistrial was declared after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

James Thompson, 41, was tried for possession of cocaine. A mistrial was declared after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Haywood Reid, 49, was tried for 1) felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, 2) resisting a public officer, 3) possessing drug paraphernalia, and 4) misdemeanor larceny. The jury found Reid guilty of resisting a public officer, possessing drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor larceny, but not guilty of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle. Reid was sentenced to a total of 240 days in the county jail, the maximum allowed by law in this instance, for the misdemeanors.

Rutherford Moore

Rutherford Moore, 37, was tried for 1) conspiring to sell marijuana and 2) possessing a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school. The jury found Moore not guilty. Moore was not a habitual felon. His co-defendant was a habitual felon and had already entered a guilty plea.

Charles Johnson was called for trial. Prior to jury selection, Johnson changed his previous plea of not guilty and entered a guilty plea to 1) two counts of possessing a stolen motor vehicle and 2) being a habitual felon. Johnson was sentenced to 117-150 months in prison.

Two Teens Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Murder

Danielle Holmes

Danielle Alexandra Holmes, 18, and Jonathan Tyler Fitzgerald, 19, each plead guilty to 1) second-degree murder 2) robbery with a dangerous weapon and 3) conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Danielle Holmes and Jonathan Fitzgerald were both sentenced to 246-323 months (20-27 years) in prison.

According to a press release from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office:

On August 22, 2010, at approximately 12:00 pm, CMPD officers were called to an apartment complex on Central Avenue in reference to a stabbing. Officers arrived to find the victim, Oscar Alvarado Chavez, 22, inside a green vehicle. He had been stabbed once in the chest and twice in the neck, and had numerous defensive wounds on his hands.

Jonathan Fitzgerald

Witnesses had called 911 to report suspicious activity in the parking lot and had provided a description of a white vehicle leaving the scene. They were also able to give police the tag number from the suspect vehicle. Officers spoke to the owner of the white vehicle, who advised that he took the defendants to meet the victim for the purpose of purchasing heroin.

When they reached the designated place for the drug transaction, Defendant Holmes exited the vehicle and entered Mr. Chavez’s vehicle to make the purchase. Defendant Fitzgerald then approached Mr. Chavez’s vehicle on the driver’s side, and attacked him.

Officers later located Fitzgerald and Holmes at a hotel. A search of their room revealed 2 knives in the toilet tank along with bloody clothing that contained Mr. Chavez’s DNA. Both defendants admitted their participation in the robbery and murder of Mr. Chavez for heroin.