Detectives Conducting Double Death Investigation in the Independence Division

Gracie Nell Johnson

UPDATE: CMPD is reporting that it was an intense and collaborative effort among the various units of the CMPD and the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) to locate the deceased second subject, Rianna Tarell Johnson.

Ms. Rianna Johnson was located behind 2108 Crown View Court in the Independence Division.  Officers were called in from each patrol division within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, along with the assistance of our Civil Emergency Unit, the Aviation Unit and the Charlotte Fire Department.
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Detectives with the Missing Persons and Homicide Units of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are conducting a death investigation near the 2200 block of Crown Point Executive Drive. The call for service came in at 2:21 pm, Friday, August 5, 2011.  The victim has been identified as 43-year old Gracie Nell Johnson.

Independence Division officers received a call for service in reference to a larceny call from 2516 North Sardis Road/Independence Boulevard at the Burlington Coat Factory. Upon their arrival, one subject was secured in custody, while the other two subjects fled the scene. A loss prevention employee ran after the subjects on foot. 

A short time later, it was discovered that the store employee and the two unknown subjects had entered the creek behind the business park. Charlotte Fire Department was called to begin a swift water rescue of the missing subjects. The employee made it out of the creek and advised officers and fire personnel of the last sighting of the two subjects. After a brief search, one of the subjects was located in the creek, deceased. The search still continues for the remaining subject.

CMPD’s Canine Unit and Civil Emergency Unit were called to assist with the search efforts as well.  Crime Scene Search responded to both locations 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 Terry Brandon is the lead detective assigned to the case.  In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

WANTED by CMPD: Mitchell Lowery

Mitchell Lowery

UPDATE:  8/11/11- Mitchell Lowery was arrested last night in Virginia after VCAT received a tip on his location. He will be extradited back to Charlotte once he waives extradition.
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Mitchell Lowery is wanted by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) on outstanding warrants for interfering with an electronic monitoring device, felony breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering.

Lowery has been on CMPD Electronic Monitoring since June 14, 2011 while out on bond for pending felony breaking and entering charges. On August 6, 2011 Lowery cut off his electronic monitor and threw it in a drainage ditch on Independence Boulevard in Stallings, N.C.

According to CMPD, they monitor over 750 offenders this year and Lowery was the 16th offender to cut off his court ordered monitor this year.   Less than 2% of the offenders monitored by CMPD have cut their monitors off.

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

Former Teacher Plead Guilty to Statutory Rape and Sent to Prison

Ernest Nichols

On August 5, 2011, Ernest Nichols plead guilty to statutory rape before the Honorable Robert C. Ervin, Superior Court Judge, in Mecklenburg County Court.  He was sentenced to 216-269 months (18-22 years) in prison.

Nichols, age 44 at the time the crimes were committed, was arrested in October of 2009 when a 16-year-old girl reported that she had been raped by him when she was age 15.  At the time of his arrest, Nichols was a Charlotte-Mecklenburg school teacher at Ranson Middle School.

The defendant video-taped his crimes involving the victim and when he was confronted by the victim’s mother after the victim disclosed the abuse, Nichols drove down Highway 73 and threw the video recordings into the woods. That evidence was retrieved by the Huntersville Police Department.

The First 48: Murder of Devon Clement at the Cookout

The video below is The First 48's full episode featuring CMPD investigating the murder of Devon Clement, 20. Clement was shot in the parking lot of the Cookout Restaurant, located on West Sugar Creek Rd.

Three people were arrested for murder: Antonio Gerrick Hamilton, Cherelle Monet Griffin and Shamon Monair Goins for the murder of Mr. Clement.

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder

Daniel Foster, 35, was found guilty of First-Degree Murder in the death of Mr. Willie Hopper, II, 31.  Additionally, Foster was found guilty of Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  After six days of trial, the jury rendered its verdicts on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

The Honorable Robert C. Ervin, Superior Court Judge, imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction. In addition to the life sentence, Judge Ervin imposed an additional 113-146 months in prison on the remaining charges.

Mr. Hopper was shot five times and killed by Foster on July 2, 2010, around 11:30 a.m., as Mr. Hopper sat in his car talking to Foster’s ex-girlfriend outside a Charlotte apartment. The woman, who was standing outside the vehicle, was not injured. The defendant testified that he went to his car to retrieve his gun before approaching Mr. Hopper.  Despite the fact that he had confessed to police in a video-taped statement, the defendant claimed at trial that he acted in self-defense. The jury rejected his claim of self defense.

CMPD Seeking Duke Power Payment Center Robbery Suspect

Shortly before noon, the Duke Power payment center on Eastway Drive was robbed at gunpoint by the man shown in the photo to the right. The suspect has long dreads in a ponytail and a long goatee.

According to police, the man jumped over the counter after waiting in line and showed the workers a gun.  He cleaned out all the cash registered and fled the scene in a red Hyundai.

If you recognize the suspect or have any information that could help police,  please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

2011 Justice Assistance Grant

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice under its Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.  The funds are to be used for improvements to law enforcement and correctional agencies. The grant is for $714,123 and the City of Charlotte’s share is $535,592.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department plans to spend the City funds as follows:

• $400,903 for overtime for officers to address emerging crime trends and enablers of crime at the neighborhood level
• $123,329 for equipment for the thirteen patrol division offices
• $11,360 for police officer participation in youth programs at the neighborhood level.

The Justice Department requires a 30-day public comment period on the expenditure of JAG funds. Please direct any questions or comments on Charlotte’s proposed spending plan to Darrellyn Kiser at 704-336-7736 or dkiser@cmpd.org.

Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed at Gunpoint on Marsh Rd

Shortly after 10:15 last night, a Fuel Pizza delivery driver was robbed in the parking lot at 940 Marsh Rd, which is located in the Sedgefield area of Charlotte. 

Police say the 21-year old driver was robbed of pizza, wings and his cash by six or more males at gunpoint.  CMPD did not provide suspect description information.   

The delivery driver handed over the 'loot' and the robbers ran away from the scene into the woods.  Thankfully, the driver was not hurt.  If you have any information that will help police solve this crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

CMPD's August 2011 ~ Officers of the Month

Officer Jared Porter

The N. Tryon St Corridor, including the Uptown Men’s Shelter and Urban Ministries, had been plagued with drug distribution and usage for years.

The area had been littered with trash from drug usage and alcohol consumption and many surrounding businesses have had false hope for improvement due to the declining properties surrounding the area. This had resulted in properties becoming overgrown with vegetation furthering the drug haven in the area.

In an effort to target drug usage Metro Division Officers Jared Porter and his partner Kelly Murphy decided to initiate a buy/bust campaign targeting street level drugs in the open air market surrounding the Men’s Shelter and the Soup Kitchen.

Porter helped launch an operation that enabled the department to get indictments on 19 suspects in the corridor who were operating this open air drug market. The cases included 146 felony charges and 44 misdemeanor charges. After the DA’s Office reviewed the cases, 89 felony charges and 4 misdemeanor charges were accepted, indicting 19 total suspects. Are residents and business owners say they already see a difference in the quality of life in the corridor as a result of the operation.

Officer Yanacsek

Providence Division Officer Yanacsek was instrumental in the arrests of several suspects this summer. In June Officer Yanacsek responded to a report of a B&E of a storage building at 4929 Monroe Rd. Officer Yanacsek located a suspect in the area who was positively identified and arrested.

On a separate occasion Officer Yanacsek responded to a residential B&E in progress on Nancy Dr. Officers observed a suspect come out of a rear bedroom window and run from the scene. Several officers chased the suspect on foot and Officer Yanacsek used his vehicle to cut off the suspect’s escape route. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

On July 6, Officer Yanacsek located a suspect who had just committed a common law robbery at a Mental Health facility on Billingsley Rd. The suspect had been a patient of the facility and he was being held on an involuntary commitment order.  The suspect assaulted a nurse and stole her ID and access card in order to escape from the secured facility. Officer Yanacsek spotted the suspect in the area and took him into custody without incident. The suspect was returned to Mental Health and he was subsequently charged with common law robbery.

Officer Yanacsek's work ethic and can do attitude has helped to maintain a high level of morale in the Providence division. He shows great leadership qualities.

The First 48: Murder of Oscar Alvardo by Danielle Holmes & Jonathan Fitzgerald

The video below is The First 48's episode featuring CMPD investigating the stabbing death of Oscar Alvarado.  Danielle Holmes and Jonathan Fitzgerald were arrested for the murder of Mr. Alvardo and it was discovered the murder was related to a heroin drug deal/robbery by the suspects. 

Danielle Holmes was bailed out of jail, only to get arrested in Cabarrus County for a separate robbery.  Jonathan Fitzgerald has remained in jail since he was arrested and charged with murder.  

Source: A&E

The First 48: Murder of Jermaine McJunkins

The video below is The First 48's episode featuring CMPD investigating the murder of Jermaine 'Jeremy' McJunkins.  Four suspects were arrested and charged with the murder:  Darius Chapman, Mitchelle Osborne, Suliman Elamin and Charles Sammons.

Source: A&E

2011 'National Night Out' ~ Activities in Charlotte, NC

Today is National Night Out!  It is designed to: 1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness 2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships 4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back!

Here are all reported neighborhood activities in Charlotte, NC:

Eastway Division:

Belmont Neighborhood Little Peoples Park
15th St./Harrill St. 6 p.m. Walk through Belmont/Allen St. down to Seigle Ave. ending at Seigle Point Apartments on Seigle Ave. where there will be pizza and games

Winterfield & Eastway/Sheffield Sheffield Park
(main shelter) 6:30–8:30 p.m. Picnic

Plaza/Midwood Kilgo United Method Church
2121 Belvedere Ave.  6 – 9 p.m. Games, prizes, safety information, refreshments

Freedom Division

Thomasboro
235 Bradford Dr. 5 –7 p.m. Food and hula hoop contests Ve-Veca Lavoira

Thomasboro Thomasboro Church of Christ
216 Bradford Dr.-  6-8 p.m. Community walk, CMPD, light refreshment

Oak Grove Baptist Church
9000 Mt. Holly Road 7-9 p.m

Metro Division
Lockwood and Graham Heights Communities
Celebrate the 28th Annual National Night Out (300 Block of Sylvania Ave – Aug 2nd @ 6pm). Celebrating our community officers for their dedication and commitment!

McCrorey Heights
1629-1650 blocks of Washington Ave. 6-9 p.m. Block party

Wesley Heights Greenway of Grandin and Litaker Streets 7-9 p.m.
Community walk, CMPD

Druid Hills/Graham Heights/Lockwood
Druid Hills Neighborhood Park - Rodney Ave. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tammy Gaston


Historic Washington Heights
Corner of Tate & Beatties Ford Rd. 7-9pm Meet & greet 

North Division
McIntyre 9120 Corey Common Avenue
(Pool/Clubhouse) 6 – 9 p.m. Children’s games, swimming, cookout

Davis Lake
9000 Davis Lake Pkwy (pool/clubhouse) 6-8 p.m. Children’s games, swimming, cookout

Point at Oakdale
2732 Oakdale Pasture Drive 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Oakdale Green
6100 Whispering Brook Drive 5 -7 p.m.

Northwoods Forest
1400 Block of Bear Mountain Rd 7- 9 p.m.

Allen Hills/Carrie Hills
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church - 3030 Allen Road South - 7 p.m. Community meeting

Derita Woods / Tanglewood
3411 Cypress Pond 7:30 p.m. Community gathering Gertrude Elder


North Tryon Division

Hidden Valley Tom Hunter Park
919 Tom Hunter Road 4 – 8 p.m. Meet & greet

Meadowbrook
6208 Donna Drive 6 – 9 p.m. Cook out & block party

University City Division

Highland Creek
5710 Fairvista Drive (Prosperity Park Clubhouse) 6-8 p.m.- Games, music, food, CMPD/CFD

Brantley Oaks
5108 Witham Passage 6-9 p.m. CMPD, food, dunk tank, kids’ activities

Wellington Neighborhood
Neighborhood Pool- Katelyn/Saxonbury Way 5:50-6:30 p.m. Ice cream social Christian

Lockwood and Graham Heights Communities
Celebrate the 28th Annual National Night Out (300 Block of Sylvania Ave – Aug 2nd @ 6pm). Celebrating our community officers for their dedication and commitment!


Villages of Wexford
11048 Wiltshire Lane 6:30 p.m. - Cookout, ice cream, games, and a movie on the lawn.

Glenwater at University Place
625 Mountain Water Drive
(clubhouse/pool) 6:30 p.m. Townhomes/condos- NNO event

Back Creek II
Pimpernel and Back Creek Drive - 5 – 9 p.m. Speakers, exhibits, cook outs


(August 6th) Fountaingrove: Fountaingrove Neighborhood Pool-Fountaingrove Rd/Copperplate Rd Noon-3 p.m. Cook out/NNO activities

(August 6th) Forest Pond: Forest Pond Neighborhood Park - 5-8 p.m.

(August 6th)  Buckleigh Buckleigh Community Park 8:00 p.m Cook out

Central Division
First Ward N. Alexander & N. Davidson Street Park
6:30 – 8 p.m.

Hickory Grove Division

Central United Methodist Church
6030 Albemarle Road - 5:30-8 p.m. - Activities and food

Rosecroft
6148 Rosecroft Road 7-9 p.m.- Cook out, CMPD crime watch

Grove Park Oakwood Lane and Shady Lane
(in the circle) 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ice cream social

Ravenwood
7119 Chaparrall Lane (Linda Lake/Lakeside & Cherry Streets) & 7-8 p.m. Ice cream social, kids’ activities, CMPD neighborhood watch

Windsor Grove Pool
7-8 p.m. Light refreshments, games and activities

McCarron
7908 McCarron Way 7 – 8:30 p.m. Activities and food

Meadowbrook Club House
7-8 p.m. Cook out Adrian

Kingtree
7701 Paper Birch Dr. 6– 9:30 p.m. Community walk, other activities

Independence Division
Summer Field Ridge Neighborhood pool
Summerfield Ridge & Cross Creek 6-8 p.m. Pool party

Brighten Woods Corner of Dion and Brighten Brook
7-9 p.m. Meet and greet

Providence Division
Grier Heights Grier Park Apartments
3400 block Oak Arbor Lane 5-7:30 p.m

Grier Heights Randolph Hills Apartments
3400 block of Marvin Road 7-9 p.m.

Grier Park Apts
Parking Lot on Skyland Ave.-  6-9 p.m. Refreshments, games, CMPD

Oakhurst
Corner of Monroe Road and Richland Drive - 7 p.m. A walk/bike ride through the neighborhood

South Division
Huntingtowne Farms
7100 Park Road (multiple locations within neighborhood) 7 p.m. Meet and greet

Cady Lake
5301 King Arthur Dr. (clubhouse parking lot) 7-10 p.m. Meet and greet

Pine Valley 1700 Longleaf Drive
6:30 -9 p.m.

Steele Creek Division
Steele Creek Landing
Cul-de-sac of Wood Duck Crossing Dr. 7- 8:30 p.m. Food, drop-in for residents

Planter’s Walk
12215 Creek Turn Dr. (pool) 7-8:30 p.m. Parade (TBD), food, drop-in for residents

Westover Division

Madison Park Wedgewood/ Valleyforge and Seacroft Road
6-9 p.m. Music, dance, street poets, water attractions Marty Doss

Colonial Village
Moultrie Street-Webster Place and Hartford 6-8 p.m. - Back to school supplies, food, games, and activities

West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition
Arbor Glen Outreach Center - 1520 Clanton Rd. - 6-8 p.m. Music, food, dance contest

Robbery Suspect Apprehended in Eastway Division

Gregory Brewton

On July 26, 2011, the CMPD Eastway Division Focused Mission Team (FMT) Officers apprehended and arrested Gregory Jeter Brewton for 2 counts of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Larceny of Firearm, and Possession of Stolen Firearm and Possession of Firearm by Felon.

Eastway’s FMT members were conducting routine patrol when they came upon two subjects running from a vehicle. Upon further investigation, Mr. Brewton was seen getting out of the vehicle as well. The previous subjects advised officers they were just robbed by Mr. Brewton. All three subjects were taken to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning and Mr. Brewton was charged and taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Great job goes out to the Eastway Division’s FMT’s for their diligence in the apprehension of criminals and making the streets of Charlotte safer!!