What’s Behind the Increase in Charlotte Murders This Year?

It’s within a subculture of the population that has violence as a legitimate means to resolve conflicts,” said UNC Charlotte Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Paul Friday

From http://www.wcnc.com by Glenn Counts, April 27, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a bloody week and it has been a violent year in Charlotte. Early Friday morning two men were killed in the University area during what Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say was an apparent robbery.

They were the second and third victims of the week. On Monday a man was robbed and killed over his car.

The most recent figures released by the department show that so far this year there have been 16 murders compared to nine at the same point last year.

“It’s within a subculture of the population that has violence as a legitimate means to resolve conflicts,” said UNC Charlotte criminal justice professor Dr. Paul Friday.

Dr. Friday has studied many of the issues associated with Charlotte’s criminal justice system and he thinks we may be seeing something different in the community with this spike.

“The homicide rate went down because the drug market got controlled…This spike could be a normal trend or it could be a change in the drug market,” said Dr. Friday.

Since CMPD went to the comparable statistics method of policing, there has been a significant drop in crime.  This year there has been a reversal, but Dr. Friday doesn’t think police can do much more.

“They can’t be everywhere and this is person to person and it’s over small things, usually, money, sex or children,” said Dr. Friday.

CMPD Charges Three Men in Double Murder Near UNCC Campus

2 are in Police Custody, 1 is Still at Large

From http://www.wcnc.com by Ryan Wixted, April 27, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three men have been charged after a University City area shooting that left two men dead early Friday morning, according to police.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the shooting happened at a townhouse off of Forest Side Lane around 1 a.m.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Steffon Quinton Montgomery,  24, and Jonathan Michael Green, 27, dead from gunshot wounds. A witness at the scene told police the two victims were inside the residence when three men showed up at the door.

Police said they have located two of the men and are looking for the third suspect accused of the murders.

Nelson Joseph Brice, 20, Jeremy Lynard Patton, 19, and Travis Gerald Peters, 24, were each charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted armed robbery.  Brice is in custody, while Patton remains in serious condition at Carolinas Medical Center after suffering a gunshot wound.

 Nelson Joseph Brice

 Travis Gerald Peters

Police are still searching for Peters, who as last seen driving a gold 2004 Chevrolet Impala with North Carolina license plate AHJ-6052.

Police said the shooting took place shortly after the men were allowed inside and all five men knew each other.  The townhome is less than a mile from UNC Charlotte’s campus in a neighborhood with a mix of families and students, according one neighbor who talked to NewsChannel 36.

A spokesperson for UNCC said the two victims were not UNCC students. Police have not yet released a motive for the murders.

13 Year-Old Student Charged With Robbing Younger Fellow Student at Gunpoint is Again Arrested

From The Salisbury Post by Nathan Hardin, April 27, 2012

SALISBURY — A 13-year-old boy accused of robbing a 12-year-old at gunpoint this weekend has been charged again with bullying the kid at school.

Salisbury Police said the 13-year-old was one of several teenagers who attacked a Knox Middle School student and another boy near the intersection of Lincolnton Road and New Street Saturday night about 7 p.m.

Authorities said some of the suspects are students at Knox Middle, others attend Salisbury High School.

A police report said the group of students hit the 12-year-old in the head with a brick and stole his bicycle. The 13-year-old suspect then pulled a handgun from his book bag and pointed it at the boy.

Police charged the 13-year-old with robbery with a firearm and assault. Charges are pending on a second teenager, police said.

The bike was later recovered by a family member.

Two days after being charged, authorities believe the 13-year-old started recruiting fellow students at Knox Middle School to “beat up” one of the victims, the report said.

One of the students told police he had been offered $20 to fight the boy. Another student told officers he began being harassed by the 13-year-old after refusing to join in the assault.

The 13-year-old was charged on citation and released into the custody of his mother at the school.

He was given a 10-day suspension from the school, the report said.

Police are continuing to investigate.

CMPD Officers Charge Two Men With Murder, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy

From http://www.crimeincharlotte.com, April 25, 2012

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Public Information Office issued the following Case Update this afternoon:
The Violent Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested two suspects wanted for the murder of Myron A. Billings of 1305 Effingham Road.

Shaun Morgan-Dalton DOB: 04/03/1989 was arrested at the 600 block of Ambassador Street and is charged with Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.  He is currently being held in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

The second suspect, Prince Edward Hannah DOB: 09/29/1988 was also arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and is being charged with Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

The initial investigation indicates that there was a prearranged meeting between the victim and the suspects.

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

CMPD North Division Officers Credit Alert, Attentive Neighbor in Arrest of Residential Breaking / Entering Suspects

From http://www.crimeincharlotte.com, April 26, 2012

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Public Information Office is reporting North Division officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested Isiah Xavier Barnes-Johnson, DOB: 09/30/1990, Terrance Derrell Lee, DOB: 02/10/1991, and Maurisha Rogina Edwards, DOB: 10/19/1991, for their involvement in several residential breaking and entering cases.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at approximately 12:30 p.m., North Division officers were dispatched to a residential breaking and entering call at a home in the 1100 block of Fox Glen Road.

A neighbor called 9-11 and reported observing several suspects breaking into a home before driving away from the location.   A detailed description of the suspects and the vehicle they were occupying was broadcast to patrol units in the field.

Officers observed the vehicle a short time later and detained the occupants. The witness was transported to the scene of the vehicle stop and identified the three suspects as the people he witnessed break into the home. Officers also recovered stolen property in the possession of the suspects from the B&E’s that included: televisions, laptops, and a significant amount of jewelry.

During the investigation, Detectives determined that the three suspects arrested were also the same suspects resposnible for two additional residential breaking and entering cases that occurred in the University City area. Detectives are also investigationg whether the suspects are connected to any additional active cases.

All three suspects were charged with (3) counts of Felony Breaking & Entering with Force, (3) counts of Felony Larceny, and (3) counts of Felony Possession of Stolen Property.

Two of the three suspects arrested have lengthy criminal histories that include:

BARNES-JOHNSON is a two-time convicted Felon, with Burglary/Felony Larceny convictions from May and July 2009. He has additional arrests for Armed Robbery, Assault on Female and Misdemeanor B&E. He is in the Mecklenburg County Jail under a $65K secured bond.

                                                                                                                                                                          Barnes-Johnson

LEE is a three-time convicted Felon, with Burglary/Felony Larceny convictions from January and February 2008 and October 2009. He has additional arrests for Carrying a Concealed Weapon (Gun) and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana. He had an additional outstanding warrant for Assault on Female with a $2,500 secured bond added.

        Lee

  Edwards

CMPD Officers will continue to work to remove these type of career criminals from society before they can repeatedly prey on our community.  These arrests are the result of the community and police working together. Had it not been for an engaged neighbor calling 9-11 to report this activity, these individuals would likely still be free to victimize our community. 

The CMPD urges the community to call 9-11 whenever see or hear anything suspicious.

          

                

                  

CMPD North Division Detectives Arrest Larceny From Automobile Suspects

From http://www.crimeincharlotte.com, April 23, 2012

The CMPD Public Information Office says that North Division Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested Jacob Jacobs, DOB: 01/03/1990, and Markcus Herrera, DOB: 10/04/1991, for their involvement in a series of larceny from auto cases. Both suspects have been charged with incidents that include:

 

(20120420073103) April 20, 2012, larceny from auto in the 6900 block of Northlake Mall Drive.

(20120420062901) April 20, 2012, larceny from auto in the 9000 block of Kimmel Lane

(20120420071602) April 20, 2012, larceny from auto in the 5600 block of Westpark Drive  (This incident included the theft of a handgun from the vehicle)

Both suspects have been charged with three felony counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, felony larceny of a firearm and several misdemeanors. Both suspects have lengthy criminal records involving property crime arrests.  The CMPD will continue to work at removing these type of career criminals from society before they prey on any additional members of our community.

Anyone with additional information concerning these cases or suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704.334.1600.

ARRESTED

          

        Jacobs                                  Herrera

 

CMPD University City Division Officers Arrest Residential Burglary Suspects

From http://www.crimeincharlotte.com, April 23, 2012

The CMPD Public Information Office says that University City Division officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested Juan Antonio Brown, DOB: 11/15/1960, and Mark Antonio Steele, DOB: 01/10/1986, for their involvement in a recent residential breaking and entering incident.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at approximately 12:30 a.m. an alert neighbor called 9-11 stating he observed the suspects enter a vacant house in the 800 block of Reigate Road, remove appliances from the house, and place the items in a trailer before leaving the location.  The neighbor gave the tele-communicator a detailed description of the suspects and vehicle they were occupying.

A short time later, officers observed a vehicle matching the description and conducted a vehicle stop on Kempsford Drive.  The suspects were detained and positively identified by the witness as the men involved in the incident.  More than $2,500 in stolen household appliances were recovered and both suspects were taken into custody.  The suspects have been charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony possession of stolen goods.

These arrests illustrate how critical it is for the community and police to work together.  Had it not been for this engaged neighbor who called 9-11, these two property thieves would likely still be in our community free to victimize others.  Anyone with additional information concerning this case or these suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704.334.1600.

                                                   ARRESTED

                      

                                 Brown                                  Steele

Motel, East Charlotte Neighbors Talk Over Fence Idea

From The Charlotte Observer by Cleve R. Wootson Jr., April 23, 2012

Residents in east Charlotte are mulling an old-fashioned solution to a motel that they say causes trouble in their neighborhood.

Residents of the Commonwealth Park neighborhood want to put a fence between their homes and the Charlotte Inn on the Independence Expressway.

Waterman Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic, but foot traffic from the troublesome Charlotte Inn hotel is still a problem for those living in the Commonwealth Park neighborhood. They would like the hotel sealed off from the neighborhood by a fence. (Photo by Robert Lahser of the Charlotte Observer)

The potential barrier – still only a hypothetical solution because city transportation officials haven’t signed off on it – would prevent pedestrians from entering the Commonwealth Park neighborhood on Waterman Avenue, which connects the neighborhood to the motel just east of Briar Creek Road.

A barrier already prevents vehicles from cutting through the neighborhood. Lt. Robert Dance, who oversees police activity in that part of the Eastway Division, says using city resources to build a fence to keep crime out of the neighborhood is a novel approach.

Finding a lasting solution to crime in the area around the motel is difficult.

Rooms at the motel rent for about $160 per week, Dance said. “Most of the people who stay there are transient or people who are in transition between drug rehabilitation centers or just getting out of jail or just people down on their luck,” said Dance, who came up with the idea for a fence.

“We’ve made a lot of arrests. We’ve went in there and done large operations … but it’s just a revolving door. Every time we evict someone, there’s someone to take their place.”

The people who live in Commonwealth Park say drug dealers ply their wares and prostitutes solicit just feet away from their tidy yards and tire swings. Addicts sometimes wander through the neighborhood, committing property crimes for money.

“Drugs, prostitutes, gunshots, thug-looking guys. They had a big bust this morning when I drove to work. They were executing an arrest warrant. It’s really quite a show sometimes,” said Jason Van Buren, who is spearheading an effort to start a neighborhood watch in Commonwealth Park.

He’s also trying to get the motel shut down.

Neighbors have started a Facebook page and a petition through change.org that neighbors intend to send to Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. The petition had nearly 200 signatures Sunday.

The hotel “persists as the number one safety concern for residents throughout the neighborhood, particularly those living within earshot, effectively lowering their standard of life in an otherwise charming community,” part of the petition reads.

The Facebook page even includes a picture of the home of the man who owns the Charlotte Inn, Anup Desai.

Desai couldn’t be reached for comment, but he told WCNC-TV, the Observer’s news partner, that he cooperates with the police, giving them lists of the motel’s customers whenever they ask and checking the backgrounds of the people staying there.

Dance said Desai cooperates with officers recommendations and has even raised his rates. He’s also renovating the hotel.

“We are doing our part,” Desai told the station. “I would not say we are doing enough. I’m always in communication with the Police Department to see if there is anything else we can do to help.”

CMPD Officers Chrarge Man in Multiple Robberies

From http://www.crimeincharlotte.com, April 19, 2012

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Office of Public Information says that on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Robbery Unit charged Tony Andre Humphery, DOB: 01/13/94, for his involvement in a series of recent armed robberies.  This series included the robbery of the Sonic on April 6, 2012,  where he put a handgun to the manager’s head and pulled the trigger twice; the handgun did not fire during either attempt.  The two armed robberies of the Regional Finance Corporation were also included in the series of robberies.  The getaway vehicle used in several of these robberies was a Dodge Caravan.  Mr. Humphrey is in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office being held under secured bonds which total over $1M.

Detectives worked tirelessly in their efforts to solve these crimes.  This was a complex investigation where the Fraud Unit and the Gang Unit were brought in to aid in the investigation.  These cases remain under active investigation and will be reviewed for possible federal prosecution.  If anyone has additional information regarding these cases, please have them call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Tony Andre Humphrey is facing 12 felony charges and 1 misdemeanor charge related to these robberies and an unrelated fraud case.  The complete list of charges include:

Felony- Larceny of Motor Vehicle

Felony- Larceny of Motor Vehicle

Felony-Attempted Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon

Felony-Conspiracy to Commit Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon

Felony- Conspiracy to Commit Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon

Felony- Attempted First Degree Murder

Felony- Robbery With a Dangerous weapon

Felony- Robbery With a Dangerous weapon

Felony- Conspiracy to Commit Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon

Felony- Uttering a Forged Instrument (Unrelated charge for a separate case; Warrant service)

Felony- PWISD Marijuana (Charged subsequent to a search warrant service of his home)

Felony- PWISD Cocaine (Charged subsequent to a search warrant service of his home)

Misdemeanor- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Charged subsequent to a search warrant service of his home)

The robberies and associated complaint numbers are listed below.

04/3/2012 at approximately 3:35 pm, Regional Finance Corporation located at 5210 N. Tryon Street #B; (Case #20120403-1539-02)

04/6/2012 at approximately 6:25 pm, Sonic located at 70820 Forest Point Blvd; (Case # 20120406-1644-01)

04/14/2012 at approximately 12:30 pm, Auto King located at 5923 Orr Road; Attempted Robbery  (Case #20120414-1229-02)

04/16/ 2012 at approximately 11:15 am, Regional Finance Corporation, at 4401 E. Independence Blvd;  (Case # 20120416-1115-00)

Captain Mike Smathers with the CMPD’s Robbery Unit will be available to discuss the arrest with the media at 2:00 p.m. at CMPD headquarters.

9 Suspects Held Without Bond After Major Drug Bust in Charlotte

From http://www.wsoctv.com, April 18, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal agents have made one of Charlotte’s biggest drug busts ever at a warehouse off Tyvola Road.

Prosecutors say the ring of nine suspects had conspired to smuggle more than a ton of marijuana into Charlotte in just the first two weeks of April.

All nine appeared before a federal magistrate Wednesday who ordered them held without bond.

Witnesses who were near the warehouse complex on Griffith Road Tuesday said they smelled marijuana burning and saw agents bringing out marijuana.

“They started bringing out bales and bales of marijuana and they were in wheels — looked like little tires,” said a witness who snapped pictures of the bust on his cellphone.

He said the drugs were hidden in construction equipment that was apparently the cover for the smuggling operation.

A fire truck stood by as agents cut through the metal barrels with blowtorches, just in case the drugs caught fire.

Zac Pearson, who works nearby, said he had noticed trucks pulling up to the warehouse but did not know what they were hauling.

“No, I never saw them before. I never met them before. I just saw a truck come in, that was it — delivering that equipment,” Pearson said.

Federal prosecutors say Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers led the investigation.  All suspects are due back in court Monday for bond hearings.