The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department camera system is comprised of 18 cameras in the Uptown area. The cameras scan parking lots and sidewalks targeting street crime and theft from autos. The cameras are also used to alert patrol officers to aggressive panhandlers in the area. The cameras allow both Officers in patrol vehicles and bicycles to more easily address quality of life issues such as those crimes listed above. The cameras have been in use since late 2000 and have directly led to over 125 arrests since their use began.
Central Division Officers staffing the CMPD camera system observed two suspects, Robert Thorne and Tairmi Thorne, attempting to break into a vehicle in an Uptown parking lot. The suspects are brothers. Officers monitoring the incident called for patrol units and bike officers to respond to the scene where both suspects were placed under arrest for Attempted Larceny from Auto.
In the second incident, Officers observed three suspects riding bicycles through parking lots in the Uptown area. They were looking into cars parked in several surface lots. Officers observed one of the suspects smash the window out of the victims' car and get inside, while the other two suspects acted as lookouts. Central Officers moved in and arrested all three suspects on scene. The suspect who had entered the victims' car had already damaged the ignition in his attempt to steal the car.
Anthony Bost and Richard McIlwain were charged with B&E Auto, Attempted Larceny of Auto. A third suspect’s information is being withheld due to the fact that he is a juvenile.
