CMPD Seeking Public’s Help in Identifying Men in July 24, 2014 Armed Robbery of Boost Mobile Store

From The Charlotte Observer by Joe Marusak, July 25, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have released surveillance video in hopes the public can identify the robbers of the Boost Mobile store at 1740 W. Trade St.

At about 5:45 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014, two assailants robbed the business at gunpoint and left in an unknown direction, possibly in a light green vehicle, police said. Police did not say how much money was taken.

The first suspect is described as black, about 18 years old, 6-foot-1 and about 190 pounds.

The second suspect also is black and about 18 years old. He is 5-foot-8 and about 160 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/25/5066580/boost-mobile-robber-sought.html#storylink=cpy

49 Arrested in Charlotte on Prostitution-Related Crimes

From The Charlotte Observer by Celeste Smith, July 26, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested 49 people following a four-day operation targeting prostitution-related crimes.

Police said the operation stemmed from citizen complaints about the crimes in the Metro division. That division includes parts of northwest Charlotte.

Uniformed and undercover officers “saturated these areas to identify and arrest prostitutes and those individuals seeking prostitutes,” according to a police statement Saturday.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/26/5068807/49-arrested-in-charlotte-on-prostitution.html#storylink=cpy

CMPD Arrests 2 Men for July 24, 2014 Robbery Spree

From http://www.wcnc.com, July 26, 2014

Men allegedly responsible for a series of crimes around Charlotte are now behind bars.

Jakiel Cunningham, 24, and Dominque Moffett, 23, each face four charges of armed robbery and three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Jakiel Cunningham, Dominique Moffett(Photo: CMPD)

Police say these suspects are behind a series of robberies on Thursday, July 24, 2014.

The first happened in the 1400 block of Sharon Road West. Police say the victim was robbed around 9 p.m. and struck on the head with a gun.

Two separate robberies were reported about 45 minutes later, both in the 100 block of New Bern Street. A victim was approached by both men, according to CMPD, after getting out of his car. The victim ran. A second victim told police the suspects fired a shot at his vehicle and robbed him.

Police say both suspects fled in a Nissan Murano. The second victim gave the tag number to police.

A fourth victim reported a robbery in the 7000 block of Albemarle Road another hour later. The victim told police he gave a man he did not know a ride in exchange for money. After, the man robbed the victim at gunpoint and fled the scene.

Investigating officers spotted a Murano with a tag number matching the one given to police. Police stopped the vehicle and arrested the suspects.

Moffett is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Car Break-ins on the Rise in Charlotte

From http://www.wcnc.com, July 27, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are warning one south Charlotte neighborhood to be alert after thieves broke into three cars near each other in one night and stole the owners’ belongings.

“There was just stuff scattered everywhere,” said Joey Dailey, whose truck was opened late Thursday night or early Friday morning in Madison Park, just south of Woodlawn Road. The thieves took some keys and a sentimental gift his mother had given him.

“It’s disappointing, because when I moved here everyone said it’s a good neighborhood,” said Dailey, “and this happened.”

The crime shared something in common with Matt Cameron’s fiance’s car, parked just around the corner.

“She actually left her car unlocked,” said Cameron.

Neither car was locked when it was broken-in to.

Cameron said the thieves took the shoes his fiancé had bought for their wedding in October, and she is really upset about it.

“We really didn’t expect there to be anyone coming through the neighborhood and opening car doors and taking things out of it,” he said.

Across Charlotte, crime is down in every category except two, said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police on Friday; business burglaries and car break-ins are up slightly.

Deputy Chief Eddie Levins said break-ins are a crime they rely on the public to report, so they can catch who’s responsible.

“We really need the public’s assistance,” said Levins, “Because without their eyes and ears on the street seeing and reporting to us what they’re seeing, it’s one of these crimes that happens so fast it’s virtually impossible to stop.”

Police repeated a warning they have given for years: take valuables out of your car, or at least place them out of sight under a seat or in the trunk.

Locking the doors might also prevent a break-in, since sometimes thieves just try door handles until they find one that is open.

Madison Park’s Neighborhood Association is asking residents to report everything they see, and every crime– no matter how small. Police use the reports to track where and when crimes happen.

Martin Doss of MPNA recommends calling police or using the online reporting service on CMPD’s website.

Cameron believes the attention is helping.

“We’ve noticed a lot more police presence recently,” he said, “which is good.”

Suspicious Vehicle / Individuals Reported in Area of Lido Ave., Burlwood Road, Rollingridge Drive on July 16, 2014

Stonehaven residents in the area of Lido Avenue, Burlwood Road, and Rollingridge Drive have reported seeing a suspicious vehicle on several occasions.

The residents described the vehicle as being a black or dark blue Volvo sedan, bearing North Carolina license plate XYK-3960, and occupied by two African-American males.

The residents say they were out for a walk that when they noticed the vehicle and that when they got close to it, the vehicle quickly sped off and pulled into the driveway of a vacant house on Rollingridge Drive for a few seconds before fleeing the area.

If anyone observes a vehicle matching the the description above, please report it to the CMPD via 911 and to the Stonehaven Community Patrol at 980-297-8446 immediately so we can get the vehicle and its occupants checked out.

Stonehaven Resident Reports Her Son Being Shot at with Airsoft Pistol on July 15, 2014

A Stonehaven resident reported that her son was walking with a friend near the intersection of Redcoat and Honegger Drives on July 15, 2014 in the early evening when they encountered 3 young male African-Americans, 1 estimated to be between 10-12 years old, and 2 to be between 16 and 18 years old.

As the two groups passed by each other a “what’s up” was exchanged between them and then the younger African-American male produced an Airsoft pistol and fired it at the resident’s son and his friend.

While no injuries were reported in the incident, the firing of a projectile of any kind toward a person is a criminal assault.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any idea who the African-American boys may be, please notify the Stonehaven Community Patrol at 980-297-8446.

CMPD Searching for Suspect in July 1, 2014 Idlewild Road Armed Robbery

From The Charlotte Observer by Steve Lyttle, July 3, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are looking for a man who robbed a southeast Charlotte convenience store at gunpoint early Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Officers were called around 4 a.m. to the Circle K store in the 7900 block of Idlewild Road. A clerk said a man entered the store, displayed a gun and demanded the employee’s purse and property from the store. The suspect ran off after getting those items, police said.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 5 feet 5 inches tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt, black pants and a baseball cap.

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

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/03/5022419/police-seek-suspect-in-southeast.html#storylink=cpy

Charlotte Criminal Hides in Best Buy Ceiling, Steals Electronics, Leaves After Store Closes

From http://www.wbtv.com By Paul Cameron, July 3, 2014

Break-ins happen every day. It’s the break-outs that are rare.

At the Best Buy store near I-485 and Independence, police believe three men were working in concert to rob the place.

Surveillance shows one tall, thin man wearing dark clothing, sunglasses and a baseball cap enter the store. He looks around, but winds up going into the restroom.

About the same time, two men, both wearing tank tops enter the store. They also go in the restroom. Police believe those two lifted the first man up into a hiding spot in the ceiling.

“There was an employee who tried to go inside the bathroom, but they kept him out and pushed him on up in there and he hid away,” said CMPD Detective Marty Cuthbertson.

After he’s tucked away in the ceiling, we see his accomplices leave the store one-by-one.

Six hours later, when the store closes at 10:00 p.m., the lights go out, and we see him bagging up electronic devices.  Then, when the night lights come on, we see him in a big hurry to finish his heist.

So how much did he get?

“We’re looking at about a $20,000 figure.”

$20,000 of electronics goes right out the emergency door, which sounds an alarm, but he was long gone before anyone could respond.

“We usually have them breaking in, but this particular incident, they were breaking out.”

This caper worked once and police are concerned they might try it again. If you have any information that could help, call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600 and you could earn a reward up to one thousand dollars.

CMPD Officers Seize Weapons, Crack, Tactical Gear from Residence on July 2, 2014

From http://www.wsoctv.com by Trish Williford, July 3, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and SWAT on Wednesday seized 20 guns, including several that were reported stolen, tactical gear, crack cocaine and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from a home on the 3100 block of Tuckaseegee Road, according to a news release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Officers retrieved stolen items taken from break-ins from across the city.

Seven suspects were taken to custody without incident and charged them with multiple felonies.

Anyone with additional information concerning this incident or the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.