CMPD Release Surveillance Photos of Robbery Suspect

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released surveillance photos on Tuesday that depict the suspect of a September 4 robbery. The incident took place shortly after midnight at a Circle K gas station near the intersection of The Plaza and East W.T. Harris Boulevard.

The suspect apparently took off his shirt and wrapped it around his head to cover his face before robbing the store with a pistol. He ultimately robbed the store for $340 and cigarettes.

He is described as being in his 20's, around 5'6" tall, and weighing about 160 pounds. At the time of the robbery he was wearing black pants and black Nike shoes.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

Firearm by Felons Gets Guns Off Charlotte Streets

In an effort to keep our city's streets as safe as possible, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police recently launched the Firearm by Felon program. Started in May of this year, the program targets convicted felons in possession of firearms. Firearm by Felon offers reward money for anonymous tips that lead to the recovery of illegal guns or the arrest of a felons with guns.

The program comes after statistics showed a rise in the number of felons arrested with guns.  In 2009 250 convicted felons were arrested with guns, as opposed to 319 last year. The ease with which felons can access firearms was disturbing to the department.  The theory is getting guns off the street will result in fewer armed robberies and other crimes associated with firearms, according to CMPD's Marty Cuthberson. 

Since the start of Firearm by Felon in May, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have recovered 12 guns and made seven arrests. By allowing members of the community to call in and work together with local law enforcement, Charlotte is a safer place to live.

The Firearm by Felon tip line is (704) 336-6000. Rewards of up to $500 are offered for information that leads to an arrest or recovery of guns.

CMPD's 'Firearm by Felon Campaign'

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has launched a program intended to target felons carrying firearms in our community.  The program urges members of the community to call a dedicated phone line and forward anonymous information with the identity and whereabouts of a felon in the possession of a firearm.

The anonymous caller will be eligible for a $500 reward if an arrest is made as a result of their anonymous tip. Additionally, anyone in the public who forwards information leading to the arrest of a person illegally carrying a firearm may be eligible for a cash reward.

During this campaign, the community is asked to call our firearm tip line at 704-336-6000 to speak with a dispatcher.  They will need to give the name and/or detailed description of the suspect, and where the person is at the time of the call.  Callers will not be required to leave their name, number, or address.   Detective Marty Cuthbertson with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers will follow up on the dispositions of these anonymous calls and will arrange a time and date to pay out reward money to the caller when applicable.

Crime Stoppers Success Stories of 2011

On Thursday, December 22, 2011, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Marty Cuthbertson will be distributing Crime Stoppers information to the community at the corner of Tom Hunter Road and Canterwood Drive in response to several residential B&E’s in the area.

Officer Cuthbertson coordinates the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers program and 2011 was an historic year for the program. More than 1750 tips were received this year that resulted in roughly 225 arrests. The individuals arrested ranged from property thieves to murderers.

The Crime Stoppers program also paid out a record $34,360 dollars to tipsters, recovered nearly $70,000 in stolen property and 21 weapons.

Officer Cuthbertson will be available to answer questions with regard to Crime Stoppers success in 2011. Please join us on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Tom Hunter Road and Canterwood Drive.  To learn more about Crime Stoppers and how you can help, please visit their website at http://www.charlottecrimestoppers.com.

UPDATE: CMPD Seeking Pawn Store Robber

Ivan Latimer

UPDATE:  On August 8, 2011, CMPD arrested Ivan Latimer and charged him with three counts of common law robbery.  
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CMPD & Char-Meck Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's help in identifying the masked man who robbed an East Charlotte pawn shop in the middle of the afternoon.

The robber was seen by workers prior to the robbery at the Pawn Mart on Albemarle Road wearing a hood, latex gloves and carrying a pistol on his hip. He also paced back and forth in front of the store, occasionally peering into the front window.

Eventually, the robber went inside and demanded money from the cash register.  Pawn shop workers hit the silent alarm but the robber was able to escape before the police arrived.

WANTED for Armed Robbery

The suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion. His mask, hood and jacket all had very distinctive designs. (Click on photo to enlarge)

If you have any information that may help police, please call Crimestoppers at (704) 334-1600.

CMPD Seeking Construction Equipment Thieves

CMPD is seeking the shown vehicle and/or person who is responsible for a 120 pound bulldozer starter from a local construction equipment construction company. 

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

CMPD Seeking Armed Robbery Suspect

Please review the following photos to see if you can help identify the armed robbery suspects involved in at least two recent robberies in Charlotte, NC.

The first robbery occurred on June 6, 2011 at Aloha Snow located at 5716 Wyalong Drive, located in the Independence Division. Aloha Snow was robbed at approximately 3:30pm by an unknown white male in his early 30's. He was dressed in all black clothing with a Jamaican style reggae knit cap over his hair that was red, gold and green. He was approximately 6'0" with an average build. He displayed a black gun in his waist band and demanded cash during the robbery.

The second robbery occurred at the Dilworth Tanning Spa, located at 1412 East Blvd., which is located in the Providence Division. According to CMPD, an unknown suspect entered the business and brandished a firearm. The unknown suspect then demanded the money from the cash register. The unknown suspect fled the scene on foot.

The suspect was described as a white male, 6'0", 170 lbs approx 30 years old. The subject had a hooked nose and was wearing a long sleeve, light grey/blue shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows; a tan unfitted hat, black sport sunglasses and khaki pants/washed out jeans.

Anyone with information as to the suspect's identity, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers Success Stories!

In early 2011, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department began working closely with the Crime Stoppers board to bolster the program’s visibility and effectiveness. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers and Campus Crime Stoppers programs provide the community with a means to forward anonymous information to assist police in solving open cases.

In turn, the tipsters become eligible for cash rewards while maintaining their anonymity and improving the quality of life in our community.  A veteran police officer was assigned to the program and regularly goes door to door in the community working to generate leads in neighborhoods where specific crimes have occurred. This neighborhood engagement has built community trust in the Crime Stoppers program.

In 2011, the CMPD also began contributing funds to the program that allow the Crime Stoppers board to increase the reward amount paid to tipsters with information concerning open homicide cases of up to $5,000. Thanks to unprecedented community engagement, 2011 has been an effective year for the program.  Neighbors realize that keeping our community safe will require a partnership between police and citizens.

Four murder cases were cleared so far this year as a result of direct information received through Crime Stoppers tips:

* The July 25, 2010, murders of Keith Cox and Clayton King who were killed at the Budget Inn located at 4330 Old Interstate Rd. Information detectives received through Crime Stoppers enabled them to file murder charges on Wendell Jude Lamaitre, Damien Anthony Bond and Lauren Elizabeth English. All three suspects were arrested within 24 hours of the murder.

*The March 21, 2011, murders of Luis Aguilar-Amezcua and Omar Mendez Delacruz who were shot and killed traveling in a car on N. Tryon and 24th streets. An anonymous caller forwarded information to Crime Stoppers that resulted in the apprehension of Luis Mendez and Ismael Mendoza. Both suspects were apprehended in Alabama as a result of the anonymous information received through Crime Stoppers.

*The April 16, 2011, murder of Larry Dean Wallace who was shot by and killed by three known associates during a drug transaction. Detectives arrested the suspects within four days of the murder as result of anonymous information they received from a citizen who called Crime Stoppers. Ngai Yarre Sutton, Robert Lee McPhail, and Damon Kenneth Grimes were charged with the murder.

*The April 22, 2011, murder of Robert Latimer Barber who was shot and killed on Mullens Ford Road while walking home from a coffee shop. Although detectives developed information concerning this case early into the investigation, it was a tip forwarded to Crime Stoppers that proved to be critical. The information resulted in the arrest of Chauncey Sterling who was apprehended within 48 hours of the murder.

The CMPD continues to urge citizens to observe and report suspicious activity by calling 911. Additionally anyone with information on unsolved cases they may forward their anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Police Seeking Man & Women who Beat & Robbed Bus Passenger

WBTV's Anchor Paul Cameron has a great 'Crime Stoppers' spot in which he features recent crimes that the police are looking for public assistance in identifying the suspect(s).  This particular one began with an argument at the Transit Center downtown and ended with a CATS bus rider beaten and robbed.

The CMPD recovered very good surveillance pictures from inside the bus showing the suspects and CMPD Detective Cuthbertson believes it will lead to an arrest.  Please watch the video from WBTV and if you can help police identify the supects, please call Crimestoppers at (704) 334-1600.

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.

Independence Officers Arrest B&E Suspect

Independence Division Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested Emmitt Carter thanks to an alert and informative Charlotte woman.

CMPD officers were dispatched to the 6200 block of Monroe Road after a woman called 911 stating that she witnessed two suspects breaking into cars in the area. The witness gave dispatchers a detailed description of the suspects and their exact location. A short time later, an officer located two young men who matched the description of the suspects.

The witness was transported to the scene and positively identified Carter as one of the young men responsible for the break-in's, however, she could not identify the second suspect. Carter was arrested and charged with Felony Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle.

This arrest illustrates the partnership between the community and police and just how critical it is for neighbors to call 911 when they see or hear something suspicious in their neighborhood.

Anyone with additional information concerning this case may call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Charlotte - Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers Program

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is pleased to announce the assignment of their new Crime Stoppers Coordinator, Officer M. Cuthbertson officially took over the position in September 2010.

The CMPD has also announced that it intends to assist Crime Stoppers in increasing the cash rewards paid out on unsolved murder cases. Beginning immediately, anyone who offers anonymous tips that lead to an arrest through Crime Stoppers on an unsolved murder case will be eligible for a $5,000 cash reward.

In 2009, Crime Stoppers received more than 1,238 anonymous tips. Those tips netted nearly 100 arrests and resulted in $11,760 in reward money that was paid to the public.

In 2010, Crime Stoppers has been just as successful. Recently Crime Stoppers received a number of anonymous tips from the public that have resulted in solving several cases. Some of the cases include:

--A person who recently called the tip line to provide critical information on a suspect who was involved in a May 2010 double murder. Demone Evans, DOB: 02/16/1985, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Tia Mitchell and Dominique McGriff on Morning Drive. The lead Detective in the case advised that caller’s information was instrumental in making this arrest. That tipster received $1,500 in cash.

--Recently an anonymous tipster forwarded information to Crime Stoppers that resulted in the arrest of Larry Antwon Perry, DOB: 10/08/1996. Mr. Perry has been charged with the August 21, 2010 murder of Jamal Ibrahim Salih which occurred at 2704 Tuckaseegee Road. The anonymous tipster will be eligible for a $5,000 reward for the information provided.

--A tipster provided information to Crime Stoppers regarding suspects who were involved in the August 2010 murder of Oscar Alvarado Chavez at 4945 Central Avenue. That tip resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Fitzgerald, DOB: 01/15/1992 and Danielle Holmes, DOB: 12/01/1992. Both Fitzgerald and Holmes have been charged with murder. The anonymous tipster will be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

To learn more about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers program and how you could help, please visit their website.