CMPD Makes Bank Robbery Arrest, But Can’t Identify Suspect

From www.wcnc.com, November 30, 2012

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they found the man who robbed a South Boulevard bank late Thursday afternoon–but who is he?

Credit: CMPD

Police said a bearded man robbed the Wells Fargo around 4:40 p.m. and he was later caught–with a gun–on the light rail a short time later.

When police searched the man they also found cash that is believed to belong to the bank.

But late Friday morning police said they can’t identify the man.

“He is currently in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, but detectives have been unable to confirm his identity,” CMPD said in a statement.

If you can help identify the man you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

New NC Law will Expunge Records for Thousands with Older Convictions

From www.wsoctv.com by Tenikka Smith, November 30, 2012

People who have been waiting for some 15 years to have their criminal records expunged will finally get that chance.

A new state law goes into effect on Dec. 1, 2012, that will clear the records of some people who stayed on the right path after being punished for their crimes.

Eyewitness News spoke with one woman who said for her, this is a new beginning.

“My charge is not who I am. It was a decision, a bad decision that I made,” Dorothy Woods said.

In 1997, Woods was convicted on felony drug trafficking charges and served eight months behind bars.

In the years to follow, she turned her life around. She works as a certified nursing assistant while going to school to become an RN. She’s a homeowner and proud mom.

“I have three beautiful kids, two of which I was able to send off to college,” she said.

But her accomplishments haven’t come easy. Her felony drug charge disqualified her from getting certain assistance when she bought her home and made it almost impossible for her to find work.

“You may put in in more than 50 applications a month and you hear about how experienced you are, how qualified you are, but because of this, we cannot hire you,” Woods said.

Woods tried to get her record expunged twice but was denied.

Now, a new state law will change that.

Starting Dec. 1, people with first-time nonviolent misdemeanors and low-level felony convictions who completed their sentences 15 years ago can have their records expunged.  They must also show they have stayed out of trouble and have been productive.

The North Carolina Justice Center estimates the law could impact at least 20,000 people. Woods is thankful that finally she is one of them.

“It gives you hope,” Woods said. “It’s my second chance.  I’m truly excited. I really am.”

Not everyone with convictions from 15 years ago will be eligible to have their records cleared. Certain crimes like sex offenses, assaults or drug offenses involving meth and cocaine are excluded.

New North Carolina Laws to Take Effect in December

From www.charlotte.news14.com by Linnie Supall, November 30, 2012

RALEIGH — Saturday marks a new month, and that means new laws will take effect. More than a dozen new state laws will be implemented and some of the new December laws have already sparked controversy before taking effect.

The School Violence Prevention Act adds several new rules to ensure a safe learning environment for kids. It says no teacher will face criminal charges for things they do in good faith to break up a fight between students. It also puts consequences in place for cyber-bullying. Any student found guilty will now be charged with a misdemeanor and be transferred to a new class or school.

However, there’s some disagree with the School Violence Prevention Act. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina opposes the law because it is too broad, threatens to chill students’ free speech and sets a bad precedent by telling students it’s wrong to criticize government officials.

A new punishment system for DWI’s and stricter consequences for people caught habitually stealing will take effect.

And, a new crackdown on crime prevents all convicted felons from collecting retirement benefits from any state employee retirement fund.

Wells Fargo Bank Robbery Suspect Caught on Lynx Train

From The Charlotte Observer by Steve Lyttle, November 30, 2012

A bank robbery suspect who police say tried to escape on a Lynx train Thursday afternoon was captured by officers.

The robbery was reported about 4:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo bank branch in the 2900 block of South Boulevard. That is a short distance south of Ideal Way.

Officers at the scene broadcast a description of the suspect and the direction he was seen traveling. Several officers, acting on a hunch that the suspect may try to use the train to escape, boarded a northbound light rail train moments later just north of the robbery site, at East Boulevard.

Police say they found a man fitting the description of the bandit and also report finding a handgun and money.

Authorities have not released the name of the man taken into custody and have not said if charges have been filed. The FBI joined CMPD in investigating the case.

Charlotte Homicide Suspect Caught in South Carolina

From The Charlotte Observer by Steve Lyttle, November 30, 2012

The man wanted in connection with a Grier Heights shooting death on the day before Thanksgiving was arrested Thursday in South Carolina, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Acting on a tip from CMPD detectives, officers with South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took Gregory David Tillery into custody at an apartment on High Street in Greenwood, S.C.

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Law enforcement officials in South Carolina have captured Gregory David Tillery, who was wanted in connection with a shooting death last week in (CMPD photo.)

Tillery, 24, was wanted under a murder warrant issued last Friday in Mecklenburg County. He was wanted in connection to the death of Michael Donnell Anthony, 29, who was shot to death Nov. 21 on Dunn Avenue near Orange Street.

Police had been called to the scene about 1:15 p.m. that day after a report of shots being fired. They found Anthony dead at the scene.

Detectives have not said how Tillery was identified as a suspect, nor have they discussed a motive for the shooting. But they ask anyone with information in the case to contact Crime Stoppers, at 704-334-1600.

Bear Spray Arrest: Woman Catches Suspect in Package Thefts

By Jean Elle, NBCBayArea.com

Neighbors in Noe Valley say a suspect has been snagging packages off front porches for months.

They say they had called police, confronted him on porches and snapped pictures of the man they call the “Bicycle Bandit.”

But police had not been able to make an arrest.

Not until one fed-up victim decided to take a different kind of action. The woman, who doesn’t want to be identified, set up a camera and kept bear spray at the ready.

On Tuesday, her camera captured the suspect opening her gate and taking a package. The video also shows the woman chasing the suspect. She tweeted out to followers that she nabbed him with bear spray. He ran away, but was in a lot of pain. She was able to catch up with him and make a citizen’s arrest until police came.

The man now charged with the thefts: 51-year-old Andy Anduha, who now faces up to six years in prison if convicted of all counts.

CMPD Looking for Man Suspected of Breaking and Entering

From www.wsoctv.com, November 29, 2012

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers are looking for a man suspected of breaking and entering.

Investigators said 24-year-old Marquese Young is wanted by CMPD’s POST Offender Unit on suspicion of felony B/E, felony larceny after B/E, possession of stolen goods and felony conspiracy.

Marquese Young

Police said Young knows he has warrants.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Post Offender Unit at 704-432-2606.

CMPD Seeking Men in Yorkmont Road Robbery

From The Charlotte Observer, November 28, 2012

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police robbery detectives are asking the public’s help in finding four men wanted in connection with an armed robbery last week in southwest Charlotte.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have released this surveillance photo of a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery Nov. 20 on Yorkmont Road. Four suspects are wanted in the case. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg police photo.)

The robbery happened November 20 in the 700 block of Yorkmont Road. Police say the men approached several people and robbed them at gunpoint. The victims were not injured.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 704-334-1600.

CMPD seeks Kennon Street suspect

From The Charlotte Observer, November 28, 2012

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are looking for a man in connection with a Thanksgiving evening robbery in the Belmont community northeast of uptown.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are hoping the public will help them find this man, wanted in connection with a Thanksgiving evening robbery on Kennon Street, northeast of uptown. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg police photo.)

The robbery was reported about 6:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Kennon Street. That is west of Hawthorne Lane, near the corner of Pegram Street.

Anyone with information about the surveillance photo released by police in the case is asked to call police at 704-334-1600.

CMPD Searching for Man After Grier Heights Shooting

By LINDSAY RUEBENS / Charlotte Observer, November 23, 2012

Suspect Has Been Arrested 5 Times This Year

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are searching for a man in connection with Wednesday’s fatal shooting in Grier Heights.

Detectives have signed a murder warrant on Gregory David Tillery, 24, according to a release from the CMPD.

Wednesday afternoon, officers found Michael Donnell Anthony, 29, with an apparent gunshot wound in the 3000 block of Dunn Avenue. Shortly after, Medic pronounced him dead.

Anyone with information about Tillery’s whereabouts can call 911, police said, and anyone with information about the incident cal call 704-432-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Police have arrested Tillery five times this year for various charges, online records show. His most recent arrest was Nov. 13 for assault on a female and larceny, both misdemeanors.