CMPD Seeks Man Wanted for Second-Degree Rape

From http://www.wcnc.com, September 22, 2014

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team is searching for a man wanted on the charge of second-degree rape.

Police say Manual Ayala Carias, 39, is wanted on the charge of second-degree rape following an arrest in the Steele Creek Division.

If you have any information on Carias’ whereabouts, you’re asked to call the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team at (704) 336-VCAT (8228).

CMPD Looking for Man who Robbed Charlotte Walmart During September 20 – 21, 2014 Weekend

From http://www.wcnc.com, September 22, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are looking for a man who robbed a Walmart over the weekend.

Police said a man walked into the Super Walmart on North Tryon Streer and approached an employee in the Money Center.

The suspect told the employee he had a weapon and demanded money before leaving the store, police said.

The suspect is described as a white man with a beard, about 30 years old and wearing a grey tank top and backwards hat.

Anyone with information concerning this case and or the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704.334.1600.

CMPD Says to Make Craigslist Exchanges in Police Station Parking Lots

From http://www.wcnc.com by Amy Cowman, September 17, 2014

If you use Craigslist to buy and sell things, Charlotte Police want you to make it safer to meet strangers by conducting your business in their parking lots.

The offer comes after three people who used the website were robbed in the last month.

“The first thing you have to think about is is it too good to be true?” said CMPD Officer Craig Allen. “Am I setting myself up to become a victim if I’m going to somebody’s house? And the answer is yes,” said Officer Allen.

One of the victims, who did not want to be identified, says he found that out the hard way when he reluctantly agreed to go to a home to buy an iPhone for $300, which he found over Craigslist.

“They said they can’t travel because they don’t have vehicle, so I had to go to their place, and I went to their place and it was a dead end,” said the victim.

Officer Allen says that’s the first red flag.

“If someone wants to sell something bad enough, they’ll find a way to go meet you if it’s a legitimate thing,” said Officer Allen.

Once the victim got to the home, he says there was a setup in place with several other guys there.

“Suddenly the boys who were playing basketball, they attacked from one side and the other boys from the other side, and they started hitting me,” said the victim.

That victim had minor injuries after finally throwing the money at them and the suspects took off, but another of the three recent victims suffered broken bones and had to go to the hospital. Police are pleading with people to use public space for meeting up.

“We’re going as far as saying go to a police station parking lot, if it’s a legitimate transaction that person doing the selling will meet you there,” said Officer Allen.

More: CMPD arrests 3 in Craigslist robberies

Local police station locations are as follows:

• Central Division- 119 E. 7th Street
• Eastway Division- 3505 Central Avenue
• Freedom Division- 4150 Wilkinson Blvd.
• Hickory Grove Division- 5727-A North Sharon Amity Road
• Independence Division- 9315-G Monroe Road
• Metro Division- 1118 Beatties Ford Road
• North Division- 10430-R Harris Oaks Blvd.
• North Tryon Division- 4045 N. Tryon Street
• Providence Division- 715 N. Wendover Road
• South Division- 8050 Corporate Center Drive
• Steele Creek Division- 2227 Westinghouse Blvd.
• University City Division- 8401 University Executive Park Drive
• Westover Division- 1540 West Blvd.

September 17, 2014 East Charlotte Home Invasion Leaves Man Dead

From http://www.wcnc.com, September 17, 2014

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating a deadly shooting during a home invasion in east Charlotte early Wednesday morning, September 17, 2014.

Police said officers were called to a home on Rupert Lane around 3:30 a.m. and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Medic.

Police said that the two suspects forced entry into the home and confronted the owners of the house. After a brief altercation one of the suspects shot the victim in the home, according to police. The suspects then fled the scene.

The victim has been identified as Michael Angelo Crawford, 44.

Police are canvassing the area to determine whether there are any witnesses to this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.

CMPD Sgt. Shoots, Wounds Man Who Pointed Gun at Him on September 12, 2014

From The Charlotte Observer by Steve Lyttle, September 13, 2014

An off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer shot and wounded a man after the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the officer during a foot chase Friday night, September 12, 2014, in east Charlotte.

The wounded man suffered minor injuries and has been arrested. Police said they are looking for another suspect in the case.

Investigators said police received a 911 call about 10:45 p.m. Friday about shots being fired in the 5600 block of Farm Pond Lane, near Albemarle Road. An off-duty officer, Sgt. Henry Rozell, was working nearby and said he saw two people shooting weapons.

Rozell said he told the men to drop their weapons, but he said they ran to a nearby apartment complex. One of the men pointed his gun at Rozell during the chase, the officer said. A short time later, police said, the two men turned and pointed their guns at Rozell again, and the officer fired, striking one of the men.

That wounded man was identified as Franswa X. Crawford, 31. He was treated at Carolinas Medical Center and then charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer; discharging a firearm within city limits; and resisting, obstructing and delaying.

Police launched a manhunt for the other suspect, calling out their helicopter and K-9 unit. But the man got away.

As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, CMPD will investigate to determine whether Rozell followed department polices. IN addition, he has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is also standard policy.

Police said Rozell, who is assigned to the Independence Division, has been with CMPD since May 2000.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/13/5171704/cmpd-officer-wounds-man-who-allegedly.html#storylink=cpy