Special to IFN
Mooresville Police Department officers recovered two stolen vehicles following a pair of pursuits on Interstate 77 earlier this week.
Automated license plate reader detects stolen vehicle
On Monday, MPD officers received an automated license plate reader notification for a stolen motor vehicle. After locating the stolen vehicle, officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver did not stop and fled south in the vehicle on Williamson Road to Interstate 77, police said in a news release.
MPD officers pursued the vehicle and deployed tire deflation devices to successfully deflate both passenger side tires on I-77 near Exit 31.
The vehicle exited the interstate at Exit 30 and came to rest at an apartment complex just west of the exit in Davidson.
Four suspects fled from the vehicle on foot. Two were apprehended almost immediately.
Several local agencies, including the N.C. State Highway Patrol, Cornelius Police Department Marine 1 lake patrol boat, Davidson Police Department, as well as Mooresville Fire-Rescue, assisted with the perimeter and search.
An MPD K-9 track was conducted, which led to the apprehension of the third suspect. Cornelius Police Department Marine 1 located the fourth and final suspect near the waterfront of Lake Norman.
Three of the four suspects are juveniles, including the driver. The driver) was taken to a juvenile detention center for the traffic related charges. The other two juveniles were released to their families. Juvenile petitions are being sought for all three juveniles for related charges.
An adult suspect, Davon Santario McKnight Jr., 18, of Charlotte was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, felony possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of juvenile, misdemeanor resisting a public officer, and a misdemeanor drug offense.
McKnight was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he received a $15,000 secure bond.
Stop for fictitious registration leads to second vehicle recovery
On Wednesday, an MPD officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motor vehicle for fictitious registration and equipment violations, police said in a news release.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop, and officers pursued the vehicle, which fled south on I-77, police said.
During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle crashed into the median barrier on I-77 in Cornelius, according to a news release.
Two suspects fled the vehicle on foot, and after a brief foot pursuit, the passenger was arrested, police said. An MPD K-9 track was conducted, which led to the apprehension of the vehicle’s driver, police said.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen from Belmont. A firearm and other tools/items used to steal motor vehicles were recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, police said.
The driver, Julius Dwayne White, 20, of Charlotte was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, speeding to elude arrest, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, resist or delay a police officer, and other motor vehicle law violations. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he received a $75,000 secure bond.
The passenger of the vehicle, Tyler Kyharie Moore, 22, of Charlotte was charged with resist or delay a police officer. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he received a $3,500 secure bond.