UPDATE: Hit-and-Run Victim Identified

UPDATE: The victim in this incident has been identified as 23 year-old Jeffrey Hardin of Mint Hill. According to police, Hardin was traveling on foot heading eastbound on Lebanon Road. Reports say he was walking against the flow of traffic when he was hit by a speeding vehicle.


A hit-and-run accident left a Mint Hill pedestrian dead at around 2:45 Thursday morning at the 6300 block of Lebanon Road. Mint Hill police found Hardin lying in the road where he was later pronounced dead. The suspected vehicle in the accident, a stolen van, was found on fire on Albemarle Road shortly after.

The accident occurred near the entrance to Pine Lake Country Club between Matthews-Mint Hill Road and Margaret Wallace Road.

CMPD is investigating whether the burning van on Albemarle Road was could be the same one used in the killing on Lebanon Road.

The suspected vehicle was reported stolen from a Wal-Mart that same morning.

Mint Hill police have asked citizens to look out for a vehicle that has damage to the front end. They have asked anyone with information on this incident to call them at (704)545-1085

Mint Hill Police Looking for Armed Robbery Suspects

On Thursday night, at approx. 8:30pm, two masked men, including one armed with a handgun, robbed the Mint Hill jewelry store, Mr. Professional Jewelry at 4709 Margaret Wallace Road.

An employee at the store told Mint Hill Police that the two men came inside wearing masks and one man jumped over the counter and knocked the employee to the ground before grabbing money from the register.  Meanwhile, the other suspect pointed a gun at the employee, MH police said.

Officers said they searched the area after the robbery but were unable to find the suspects. Police released surveillance images showing the pair in the area just before the robbery and asked for the public’s help to identify them.

The images show two men walking together, both wearing T-shirts. One wore a N.Y. Yankees cap.  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 704-545-1085 or 704-847-5555.

* View Video of Robbery

Mint Hill Police Seeking Purse Snatcher

Early this morning, a 67-year old woman was entering a business off Margaret-Wallace Road when a man attacked her and stole her purse. 

According to Mint Hill police, the suspect acted as if he was going to hold the door open for the victim and as the woman entered, he grabbed the woman's purse and attempted to flee.  The woman refused to let go of her purse and fell to the ground still holding the purse. The victim was dragged a short distance before letting go of the purse. 

The suspect (as shown in the slide shows) is described as a black man, about 5'8" in his late teens or early 20's.  He was wearing a grey wind breaker and blue jeans.

If anyone has information on this crime they're asked to contact Mint Hill police at 704-545-1085.

Teacher Arrested after Late Nights with 14-year old Student

Kyle Doherty

UPDATE:  Mint Hill PD released the following additional information on the incident involving Kyle Doherty, which is conflicting with the information I received from a reliable anonymous source.. 

On July 7, 2011 around 4am, Mint Hill Police responded to Stoxmeade Drive in Mint Hill reference to a vehicle breaking and entering in progress.  While patrolling the area, officers encountered a suspicious vehicle parked in the area.

The owner of the vehicle, Kyle Doherty,  was later located in the area and questioned about the vehicle break-in.  Mr. Doherty stated that he was meeting a former student of his nearby because he was counseling her.  Mr. Doherty was formerly employed at Queens Grant Charter School, where the juvenile is a student. It was determined that Mr. Doherty was not connected with the property crime on Stoxmeade Drive.

The same day, officers made contact with the juvenile’s parents and determined that this juvenile (14 y/o) had been leaving her residence in the early hours of the morning, without permission from her parents to meet Mr. Doherty. Mr. Doherty and the juvenile were questioned at length individually and it was determined that nothing sexual had taken place between the two.

Because Mr. Doherty was involved in the juvenile’s decision to leave the residence without her parents’ permission, he was charged with four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one count for each time they met and the juvenile left her residence without permission.

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On July 7th, shortly after 2:00 am, a vigilant citizen called police when she saw Kyle Doherty and a 14-year old girl breaking into her vehicle in her Mint Hill driveway.  Doherty and the teenager tried to run away once they realized they were busted but the good citizen held them at bay until police arrived.

A week later, Kyle Doherty, 28, a one year teacher at Queens Grant Community School was arrested and charged with four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Mint Hill PD Seeking Larceny Suspects

On Friday June 17, 2011 at 9:44 AM, Mint Hill Police Officers responded to the Walgreen's located at 9209 Lawyers Road for a report of a Larceny of the business. The two suspects in the incident were described as (1) Black male approximately 5-09”, 250 lbs. short hair style, wearing a red in color short sleeve shirt with button up front and a white in color t-shirt underneath, tan in color long style shorts and white in color tennis shoes.

Suspect (2) was described as a Black female approximately 5-06” – 5-08”, approximately 180-200 lbs, with a short style multi-colored hair style, containing blond and light brown in color streaks or highlights, wearing a purple and white in color striped dress. The two above listed suspects entered the business, whereupon the male suspect proceeded behind the counter and stole tobacco products totaling $500.00. Both suspects fled the store on foot and fled the parking lot area in a red in color unknown make, 4-door vehicle with a chrome style running board.

Any person having information regarding the incident may contact Detective Mickovic with the Mint Hill Police Department Criminal Investigation Division anonymously at (704) 545-1085.

Mint Hill Police Dept: Phone Solicitation is a SCAM

The Mint Hill Police Department was notified by 911 dispatchers that several people have called today to verify whether the MHPD is soliciting money over the phone.  Several citizens reported receiving phone calls requesting donations on behalf of the Mint Hill Police Department.

These calls are a scam and this agency is NOT soliciting funds over the phone!  Anyone who receives a call requesting a donation should not provide any personal information or donate any money.  If you have any information about this case, please contact the MHPD at (704) 545-1085. 

Drug Seizure in Mint Hill

Mint Hill Police served a search warrant in the 11100 block of Lawyers Road in reference to the occupant, Michael MacConnell, manufacturing marijuana at the residence. Officers entered the residence around 1:30pm and found over 300 marijuana plants and an elaborate indoor growing operation.

In addition to the marijuana manufacturing, officers located several chemicals which are known precursors to manufacturing other controlled substances. Mint Hill Police enlisted the help of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in processing the evidence. A chemist from the SBI is en route to assist with identifying the chemicals found on scene.

Michael MacConnell has been taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail and charged with the following crimes:

-Manufacture of a CS Schedule VI
-Possession of a precursor chemical to controlled substance
-Trafficking Schedule VI
-Maintain a dwelling for sale of controlled substance
-Possession of drug paraphernalia

Home Invasions in Mint Hill

On October 19th at 11:29 am, the Mint Hill Police answered a call regarding a home invasion in the 6600 block of Danbrooke Park Drive. The victim was home and reports that someone rang the doorbell, which the victim did not answer.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, the front door of the victim’s residence was kicked in and the victim stated that two black males, in their early twenties entered her home. The victim chased the suspects out of her house. The suspects got into a burgundy in color sedan type vehicle and fled the scene. No items were taken from this victim.

On October 20th at 11:57 am, the Mint Hill Police responded to the 7600 block of Hogans Bluff Drive located in the Olde Sycamore Subdivision. The victim reported a similar incident where suspect(s) entered the residence while the victim was present and removed two televisions and some cash. The victim saw the suspects as they were leaving the residence and driving away in a burgundy colored vehicle. No suspect description was available.

Neither victim was injured during these incidents.

Mint Hill Police encourage citizens to contact police if they are visited by suspicious persons during the daytime hours. If your home if forcibly entered while you are present, comply with any demands made by the suspects and contact police as soon as it is safe to do so. Police ask that citizens be vigilant within their neighborhoods and report any suspicious vehicles and/or persons immediately.

Anyone with further information about these two incidents is asked to contact Detective Garmon with the Mint Hill Police Department at 704-545-1085.

Mint Hill Police/CMPD Capture Robbery Suspects

On 04-08-2009, at approximately 12:32 pm, Mint Hill Police Officers were dispatched to 9610 Stoney Glen Drive in reference to four black males using a pistol and forcefully robbing a victim. Officers arrived on scene and were told by witnesses that four black males had exited the wood line near the apartment complex and were picked up by another black male driving a green in color Dodge Intrepid. The vehicle was last seen travelling on Margaret Wallace Road towards Independence Blvd.

Officers circulated the area and dispatch provided the suspect description to surrounding jurisdictions, including Matthews Police and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police (CMPD). Mint Hill Officers were soon advised that officers from the Independence Division of CMPD had located the vehicle and taken five black males into custody.

Officers arrested the following individuals:

- Stefan Hibbert
- Nico Buckle
- Guy Maldonado
- Omari Fung
- Josiah Fung

Two firearms were found inside the suspect vehicle.

Nico Buckle and Guy Maldonado were charged with Armed Robbery of a Person and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. Stefan Hibbert, Omari Fung and Josiah Fung were charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. All suspects were transported to Mecklenburg County Jail.

Mint Hill Police Arrest Two Sexual Assault Suspects

On Saturday night, Mint Hill Police officers were dispatched to Carving Tree Lane to investigate a possible breaking and entering and rape that occurred.

Upon arriving on scene, police were advised that a female was physically and sexually assaulted. The woman was transported by Mint Hill Medic to Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

A short time later, Mint Hill Police were dispatched to the 5700 block of Matthews-Mint Hill Rd. in reference to two unknown people in the backyard of this residence.

Police arrived on scene and found two white male subjects hiding underneath the deck of this residence, which is in close proximity to the crime scene. Both subjects were detained and later arrested for their involvement in the crimes listed above.

The suspects, Gennadiy F. Rizhkov and Ion Svet are being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail under charges of First Degree Rape and Aggravated Assault on a Female. Both suspects are being held without bond.

Police Seeking Suspects from Car Break-ins in Mint Hill

Mint Hill Police responded to a total of 16 vehicle break-ins, which occurred in the early morning hours on August 19th. Detectives have obtained surveillance video from the Harris Teeter located at 15007 John J. Delaney Drive. Two suspects entered this store at approximately 5:12 a.m. on 08-19-2008. Both suspects are white males and are approximately 18-25 years old.

The Mint Hill Police Department is requesting anyone with information to please call their office at 704-545-1085. Anyone with information may remain anonymous.