Unknown suspects entered several houses under construction on Playwright’s Way, stealing more than $1,000 worth of copper piping. Police also investigated the theft of an $800 gold Bulova watch from a room in the Liverpool Parkway Comfort Inn. Meanwhile, an unknown suspect threw a brick through the windshield of a Honda Accord to steal an iPhone, while elsewhere unknown suspects stole golf clubs valued at $3,000 from a car trunk.

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from June 25-July 1.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 7:30pm, 21200 block Pumila Court – a known suspect took the victim’s white Ford Explorer, valued at $16,000.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 11:05pm, Seven Eleven, 19128 West Catawba Ave – The 7-11 manager said that two unknown suspects entered the store and took two cases of Heineken Beer and two cases of Corona.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 11:24am, 19100 block Juanita Lane – an unknown suspect(s) broke into the victims house and stole a box containing items valued at approximately $2,195.00.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 4:35pm, 8923 Robbins Pond Road – an unknown suspect stole the victim’s cell phone between 4 and 4:30pm. The phone was valued at $750.00.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 6:05pm, Comfort Inn, 19521 Liverpool Parkway – Between 8:30am and 1:30pm, an unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s gold Bulova watch value at $800.00, and Fuji camera, valued at $300.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1:36am, intersection of Statesville Road and Catawba Avenue: During a routine traffic stop, an officer found a known suspect in possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and a concealed firearm.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 9:16am, Memories Pawn Shop, 20015 N. Main St. Cornelius –Between May 13, 2013 and June 9, 2014, a Smith & Wesson .32 caliber revolver, valued at $100.00 belonging to Memories Pawn Shop went missing, presumed stolen.

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2:37am, Kangaroo at 20008 West Catawba Avenue – Police arrested a man for stealing miscellaneous items including Febreeze air fresheners and a pair of sunglasses. The total value of the items stolen added up to $64.99.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 12:47am, Woods Lane – Shortly after midnight on June 29, a known suspect destroyed the victim’s back fence, resulting in approximately $200.00 in damage.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 7:53am 19700 block Playwrights Way – sometime over the weekend, unknown subject(s) entered and removed copper piping from houses under construction. The total cost of the items removed is $1100.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 11:56am, Cornelius Police Department – Victim stated that over the weekend an unknown suspect(s) stole his golf clubs, valued at approximately $3,500.00, which were in a $200 Titleist golf bag inside his white Honda Accord. There were no signs of forced entry into the vehicle.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 8:10pm, 10900 block Bailey Road – The victim stated that between 10am and 8pm an unknown suspect(s) threw a brick through the windshield of his Honda Civic. The unknown suspect(s) then entered his vehicle and stole an Apple iPhone 3G valued at approximately $100 and a K-Bar knife valued at approx. $100.00. Th etotal amount of stolen and damaged property is approx. $550.00.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 8:04pm,19800 block Lace Bark Drive – an unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter the house by prying off a front dining room window screen. Total amount of damage $50.00.

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Utility workers from Electricities surveyed damage after a truck struck a utility poll Tuesday morning on North Main Street. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

A northbound truck veered across a lane of oncoming traffic on North Main Street around 9:15 Tuesday morning and struck a utility pole across from The Chair Factory shops. The collision cracked the pole, knocking out power to the Allstate office at Heritage Plaza and to at least one residence in the 20700 block of North Main.

“I was in the middle of giving a quote to a customer when I heard a bang, and I looked out the window and saw the power lines vibrating up and down,” Allstate salesman Scott Dennis said.

A tow truck moved the truck from the scene. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

The pole, though broken through the middle, was held in place by the wires, and workers from Electricities said it was likely repairs could be made without cutting power to the area.

As of 10am an AT&T repair truck was en route to the broken power pole. Electricities employees estimated that repairs could take “several hours.”

The truck driver was taken from the scene in an ambulance with minor injuries. As of yet, the reasons for the driver’s swerve across oncoming traffic are unknown.

Updated 4:01pm
HUNTERSVILLE – A police chase from Cornelius to Mooresville and then back to Huntersville Saturday morning ended in a multi-vehicle wreck on US 21/Statesville Road that hurt six people. The suspect, a Charlotte man, was among the injured, and will face multiple charges when he’s released, police said. 

Two Cornelius police officers were among those hurt in the chase.

The section of Statesville Road south of Sam Furr Road was closed for several hours, and reopened just after 1pm, Huntersville Fire Department reported.

The wreck happened around 9:30am near the intersection at Rich Hatchet Road. At the scene, several cars were damaged and one could be seen overturned. At least two people were trapped in their vehicles after the wreck and had to be extricated, according to emergency radio reports. At least one person was evacuated by medical helicopter.

Jeffrey Wayne Greene

The incident began when Cornelius Police learned that a man wanted on outstanding arrest warrants was staying at the Days Inn, at 19901 Holiday Lane in Cornelius.

Police identified the man as Jeffrey Wayne Greene, 48, of Charlotte. As police attempted to arrest him, the suspect fled in a car, leading police on a chase north and south on I-77.

Greene first drove onto I-77 north at Exit 28, near the hotel. He left the interstate at Exit 33, traveling north on US 21, where he tried to do a U-turn and in the process rammed a Cornelius police car.

He returned to I-77 and this time headed south. At about Mile 24, he drove onto the median and entered the northbound lanes, then got off the highway at Exit 25. He turned right and headed south on Statesville Road.

At the 15900 block of Statesville Road, Greene crossed the center line and struck two oncoming vehicles. A third vehicle also was involved in the ensuring multi-vehicle crash.

Cornelius Police said six people, including Greene, were taken to Carolinas Medical Center with injuries. Three had injuries described as serious, but not life threatening.

Two Cornelius police officers also were treated and later released for injuries sustained during the chase and arrest, the police department said.

Huntersville Police Department is investigating the crash.

Cornelius Police said Greene was still being treated at Carolinas Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. Once he is released, he faces a long list of charges.

Police said he’s wanted as an absconder from NC Probation and Parole. He also faces these charges:

Mecklenburg County

• Assault on a Government Official – Two Counts
• Injury to Personal Property – Two Counts
• Hit/Run Fail to Stop Property Damage – Two Counts
• Larceny of Prop.; Possession of Stolen Prop. – One Count
• Resisting a Public Officer – One Count
• Flee/Elude Arrest – One Count

Lincoln County

• Obtaining Property by False Pretense – One Count

York County, SC

• Obtaining Property by False Pretense (Felony) – One Count

RELATED LINKS

July 12, 2014, WCNC.com, “Police pursuit leads to multi-vehicle crash”

EARLIER: Police chase ends in multi-vehicle wreck on Statesville Road

Posted at 1:31pm
HUNTERSVILLE – A police chase on Statesville Road/US 21 Saturday morning ended in a multi-vehicle wreck at Rich Hatchet Road, south of Sam Furr Road, that hurt five people.

Statesville Road was closed for several hours, and reopened just after 1pm, according to Huntersville Fire Department.

The wreck happened around 9:30am, and reportedly sent at least five people to the hospital, one by helicopter.

At the scene, several cars were damaged and one could be seen overturned. At least two people were trapped in their vehicles after the wreck and had to be extricated, according to emergency radio reports.

Early Saturday afternoon, the condition of the patients wasn’t known.

Huntersville Fire Department reported that the wreck happened as State Highway Patrol and Cornelius Police Department officers chased suspects. (UPDATE: State Highway Patrol was not involved.) In a post on Facebook, Huntersville Fire Department said:

This morning Huntersville Stations 1, 2, North Meck Rescue and Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue worked a serious motor vehicle accident on Statesville Rd near Rich Hatchet Rd. The accident was the result of a Police chase involving SHP & Cornelius PD. The suspect vehicle (an Infinity SUV) collided with 3 other vehicles, overturning one. Four patients were transported by Medic911 (including the suspect) and one patient was flown out by MedCenter Air to CMC Main. Stations 1, 2 & North Meck worked extrication and patient care, while Cornelius FD secured the LZ [landing zone].

A Cornelius police department dispatcher referred questions to a lieutenant, who was not available for comment. The department said it’s preparing a news release.

A person answering the phone at Huntersville Police Department referred questions to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s public affairs office. An answering message there said the office was not staffed not the weekend.

Someone broke into two businesses  stole $42,000 in high-end networking equipment from two Starcreek Drive businesses. Meanwhile, police investigate the theft of $2,500 in jewelry from a residence on Kings Point Drive. It was also a red-letter week for animal attacks: A woman was bitten after trying to intervene in a dogfight at the Ramsey Creek Park dog park, and a deer ran into the side of a car driving on Chartown Drive. Read on for details.

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from June 29-July 14 

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 12:15pm, 21200 Block Pine Ridge Drive – Two dogs got into a fight at Ramsey Creek Dog Park. While attempting to separate the two dogs, one of the owners was bitten on the right leg and right index finger.

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 8:25am, Jersey Mike’s, 20600 Block Torrence Chapel Rd –sometime between Thursday at 9:40pm and Friday 8:15am an unknown suspect(s) entered the business and removed a safe box and cash drawer containing approximately $937.74.

SUNDAY, JULY 6, 4:15pm, 17200 Block West Catawba Ave. – Sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning, an unknown suspect broke a window and door knob to gain entry to the victim’s garage. The burglar then took a red Lee ammo reload press valued at $200 and a Husky car jack valued at $100.

MONDAY, JULY 7, 9:23am, Doole’s Diversified Technology and Fiberlink, 18635 Suite A Starcreek Dr., Bailey Road business park – An unknown suspect or suspects entered Doole’s Diversified Technology and stole an EXFO FTB Main Frame, valued at $4,000, a EXFO FTB Module, valued at $5,000, an AFL Fiber Optic Fusion Splicer, valued at $15,000, a BFR Fusion Battery, valued at $400, and a AFL Cleaver Cutter, valued at $1,300. The total value of the items stolen from Doole’s was $25,700.00. They also stole a AFL Fiber Optic Fusion Splicer, valued at $13,000.00, a AFL Cleaver Cutter, valued at $1,300.00, a Fiber Plus Launch Box, valued at $500.00, a FIS Inspection Monitor, valued at $270.00, and a FIS Inspection Probe, valued at $725.00, from Fiberlink, located in the same soace. The total value of the items stolen from Fiberlink was $15,795.

MONDAY, JULY 7, 7:10pm, Rusty Rudder, 20210 Henderson Rd. – The victim was stalked by a known suspect at John Gamble Road and The Rusty Rudder.

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 5:18pm, 18400 block of Train Station Drive –Victim stated that sometime between Monday, July 9, at approximately 9pm and Tuesday, July 8 at approximately 8:30pm, an unknown suspect(s) stole a wrought iron bench, valued at $50.00 from his residence.

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 7:50pm, 18000 Block Kings Point Dr. – an unknown suspect entered the residence and stole several pieces of jewelry totaling $2,400 in value.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 9:05am,16300 Block Barcica Ln. – an unknown suspect(s) entered an unsecured black 2013 Dodge Charger, and took the victim’s black iPod, valued at $200, and $55 in cash.

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 12:30pm, 18635 Starcreek Dr –  a former employee failed to return work items belonging to the business, RMC Services Inc. Items included a LG G2 black cell phone ($400.00), LG G2 cell phone case ($15.00), car charger ($35.00), Digital Camera ($100.00), SD Memory Car ($15.00), and an ASUS T-100T Transformer Netbook computer ($650.00). Total value of all items is $1,215.00.

SUNDAY, JULY 13, 5pm, Chartown Drive –A driver traveling south on Chartown Drive when deer ran from his left and collided with his rear left passenger door. The deer was not located. No injuries reported.

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Cornelius Police Department said Monday that officers were “within policy guidelines” during a 17.6-mile chase at speeds up to 85mph through four towns Saturday that ended in a wreck that hurt six people.

• RELATED: July 12, 2014, “Wreck after police chase hurts 6 on Statesville Rd.; man faces charges”

In a statement late Monday afternoon, the department gave new details of the pursuit and wreck that began Saturday morning when police tried to arrest a Charlotte man wanted on a variety of charges in North and South Carolina.

The department is continuing to review the case, but said a “preliminary review of the facts surrounding this pursuit indicates officers acted within policy guidelines during this pursuit and even attempted to reduce the suspect’s opportunity to continue the pursuit by attempting to block the suspect’s vehicle.” (See the full statement below.)

The wreck happened around 9:30am on US 21/Statesville Road in Huntersville, ending a pursuit that took Cornelius Police officers north on I-77 to Mooresville, where one minor wreck occurred, then back south on I-77 through Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville.

Cornelius police said the department’s policy is designed to “reduce the inherent risks to the general public. However, we also have the obligation to apprehend criminals who create risks to the public when not captured.”

Police said the man “was considered a threat and danger to the public because of his recent history of assaults on law enforcement officers.” He also was “an absconder from probation and parole supervision.”

Jeffrey Wayne Greene

Greene  left the interstate at Exit 33, traveling north on US 21, where he tried to do a U-turn and in the process rammed a Cornelius police car.

He returned to I-77 and this time headed south. At about Mile 24, he drove onto the median and entered the northbound lanes, then got off the highway at Exit 25. He turned right and headed south on Statesville Road.

At the 15900 block of Statesville Road, Greene crossed the center line and struck two SUVs and a small pickup truck.

Greene himself was hospitalized with injuries after the crash. By Monday, he had been released from the hospital, and was facing a variety of charges from Lincoln County, York, SC, and Mecklenburg County.  He being held in Mecklenburg County Jail with bail set at $100,000, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department.

In connection with the chase, he was charged with DWI, felony speeding to elude capture, careless and reckless driving, speeding (86mph in a 65 mile per hour zone), and possession of a stolen tag.

Cornelius police said Greene also faces charges of obtaining property by false pretenses in both Lincoln County and York County, SC. And he was wanted on charges of  fleeing NC Probation and Parole.

Meanwhile, in a separate report Monday, Huntersville police gave details of the four-vehicle wreck in which six people were hurt, including one who was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Charlotte. That person’s condition was considered “serious” as of Monday, Huntersville police said.

Huntersville police responded to the wreck along with Medic, Huntersville Fire and North Mecklenburg Rescue, as well as Cornelius Fire Department and a medical helicopter. Statesville Road was closed for several hours after the incident.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct that State Highway Patrol was not involved in the chase. Also, Greene remains in Mecklenburg County Jail.

RELATED COVERAGE

July 12, 2014, “Wreck after police chase hurts 6 on Statesville Rd.; man faces charges”

CORNELIUS POLICE STATEMENT

Here’s Monday’s statement from Cornelius Police Department:

Vehicle Pursuit of Suspect on 07/12/2014

On Saturday, July 12th, 2014 Cornelius Police undertook to apprehend and arrest Jeffrey Wayne Greene of Charlotte, NC who had multiple outstanding criminal warrants for arrest from Mecklenburg and Lincoln counties in North Carolina and York County in South Carolina. In the process of apprehending Mr. Greene he collided his vehicle with several other vehicles. The Cornelius Police Department takes seriously any pursuit and follows policy which is reviewed through our CALEA Accreditation process. Every pursuit receives a comprehensive review and one is pending for this incident. This release of information is preliminary in nature and may not reflect all findings in the final report.

The Cornelius Police Department pursuit policy is that officers will continuously evaluate a pursuit during its course to determine if there is an unreasonable risk to the public within the context of the need to apprehend the criminal to prevent further victimization by the suspect. The considerations in our policy help reduce the inherent risks to the general public. However, we also have the obligation to apprehend criminals who create risks to the public when not captured. This suspect, as opposed to a simple traffic violator, was considered a threat and danger to the public because of his recent history of assaults on law enforcement officers. He had also committed property damage, theft, and felonious fraud offenses in which warrants were outstanding. He was also an absconder from probation and parole supervision.

A preliminary review of the facts surrounding this pursuit indicates officers acted within policy guidelines during this pursuit and even attempted to reduce the suspect’s opportunity to continue the pursuit by attempting to block the suspect’s vehicle. Again, this finding is not a conclusion of whether officers acted in accordance with policy, but rather is a preliminary snapshot of information that has been reviewed thus far.

This pursuit lasted 18 minutes and covered 17.6 miles, at an average speed of 58.7 miles per hour. Sixteen miles of this pursuit was on I-77 and reported and documented speeds ranged from 53 mph to 85 mph during the course of the pursuit. For the majority of time speeds were less than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit which would be considered normal for I-77 light to moderate traffic flow during that time of day. Toward the end of the pursuit, preliminary review shows the suspect had pulled away from our pursuing officers prior to his collision with other vehicles. He could have increased speed dramatically after pulling away, but pursuing officers maintained a safer speed as the suspect pulled away and lost sight of the suspect vehicle. The Town’s officers were not behind the suspect vehicle at the time of the crash. Again, this is preliminary information from what has been reviewed so far.

The Cornelius Police Department sincerely regrets the injuries caused by the suspect’s collision and have been in contact with the victims. The Town will continue to offer all the support it can. CPD will continue to review this incident and proper execution of its policy. We will continue supporting the prosecution of Jeffrey Wayne Green arising from this accident and his evasion from arrest as well as those charges related to his serious and dangerous acts against many people in four jurisdictions and two States.

As of this release Mr. Greene has been released from the hospital and is at the Mecklenburg County jail and charged with, in addition to those charges that resulted in his apprehension, the following:

• DWI
• Felony Speed to Elude
• Careless and Reckless
• Speeding (86/65)
• Possession of Stolen Property (Tag)

As more information becomes finalized in the internal review, updates will be provided as appropriate.

HUNTERSVILLE POLICE STATEMENT

Here’s the text of Monday’s statement from Huntersville Police:

On Saturday, July 12th, 2014, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Huntersville Police Officers responded to the 15000 block of Statesville Road in reference to a multi-vehicle crash. The crash involved a mid-size passenger vehicle, a small pick-up truck and two (2) sport utility vehicles. The crash stemmed from a pursuit that was initiated in Cornelius by the Cornelius Police Department. The suspect vehicle attempted to pass several vehicles and lost control, striking multiple vehicles. A total of six (6) people, including the suspect, were transported to the hospital with various injuries. One passenger was transported via MedCenter Air with life-threatening injuries. As of 8:00 a.m. on July 14, 2014 this subject’s condition has been downgraded to serious. The other five passengers were transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Medic, Huntersville Fire and North Mecklenburg Rescue responded to the scene and rendered medical assistance until transport took place. At this time, factors contributing to the crash are still under investigation and charges are pending the outcome.

The crash is currently being investigated by the Huntersville Police Traffic Safety Section. Any questions pertaining to the pursuit should be directed to Cornelius Police Department, as Huntersville Police Officers were not engaged, or involved, at any time with the pursuit. Additional information will be released when the investigation has been completed.

Please contact Chief Cleveland Spruill with any questions at 704-464-5400, or email at cspruill@huntersville.org.

A police car and crime scene van were parked outside the Rite Aid on West Catawba Avenue after Tuesday afternoon’s robbery. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

The robbery was reported at 3:16pm Tuesday at the pharmacy at 19400 W. Catawba Ave.

The suspect was described as a white male with a T-shirt pulled over his head. No vehicle description was given so officers searched the area with K-9 units.

As of 4:30pm, police were still searching for a suspect.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct the location of the Rite Aid. 

Joshua Lerner

Cornelius Police used security camera video to help identify and arrest a South Carolina man on charges related to Tuesday afternoon’s armed robbery at the Rite Aid pharmacy, 19400 W. Catawba Ave.

Joshua David Lerner, 24, of Pauline, SC, was arrested and charged with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was being held at Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, with bail set at $100,000.

Police were called to the scene at 3:16pm, where employees reported that a white male with a T-shirt pulled over his head had robbed the story. The amount of the theft was not disclosed, nor was the type of weapon he used.

Using surveillance video, police were able to identify the type and color of the suspect’s vehicle. In addition, Town of Cornelius surveillance cameras showed the vehicle in the area before and after the robbery. Officers were able to obtain a license plate number and the owner’s name.

Police went to the owner’s residence, and a short time later found the vehicle at the 20100 block of Henderson Rd. Following an interview with the vehicle’s owner, officers determined that Lerner had used the car, and arrested him.

In the car and at the home where Lerner was staying, police found clothing and other items believed to have been used in the robbery.

RELATED COVERAGE

July 15, 2014, “Police seek suspect in robbery at W. Catawba Rite Aid”

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius Police said Wednesday it could take two weeks or more to complete an internal review of a police chase last weekend that ended in a multi-vehicle crash in Huntersville that injured six people.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the department said it would release more information about the chase when officials complete the review. Officials also said they could delay any final report if more time is needed.

Wednesday’s announcement included a copy of the police department’s pursuit policy, and the report from Saturday’s incident. The police report offered no new information about the case.

The department had said Monday that it had begun a review, and that preliminary information suggested officers were “within policy guidelines” when they chased suspect Jeffrey Wayne Greene, 48.

The town policy says “public safety and the protection of human life are our paramount concerns.” It also says officers should avoid endangering themselves or others and follow state laws that offer limited exemptions to traffic rules. Attempting to arrest a suspect “does not normally justify creation of new or additional risks of injury or death to police officers or others,” the policy says.

The policy says officers should drive “with the concept of ‘reasonable safety.” And it goes into greater detail about when officers may use their cars in “non-routine” ways, including to prevent a dangerous crime.

Whether the officers involved in the chase met all those requirements will be a key issue in the review.

FOUR-TOWN CHASE

The incident began at the Day’s Inn off I-77 Exit 28 just after 9am Saturday, July 12, as officers tried to arrest Greene on several outstanding warrants.

Greene fled the hotel in his 2007 Infiniti FX35, and led police on an 18-minute, 17.6-mile chase at speeds up to 85mph. The chase first went north on I-77 to Exit 33 in Mooresville, where Greene allegedly rammed a police car as he did a U-turn. He then headed back to I-77 and south through Davidson and Cornelius. At mile 24 in Huntersville, he crossed the median and then left the highway at Exit 25/Sam Furr Road.

After exiting, Greene headed south on Statesville Road/US 21. As he passed Rich Hatchet Road, in the 15900 block of Statesville Road, Greene crossed the center line and struck several vehicles. The wreck hurt six people, including Greene.

As of Monday, one person remained in serious condition. Greene was treated and later released from the hospital. On Wednesday, he remained in Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, with bail set at $100,000.

He faces a variety of charges including DWI, felony speeding to elude arrest, careless and reckless driving, and possession of stolen property. He also was wanted on outstanding warrants from York County, SC, and Lincoln County, charging him with obtaining property by false pretenses.

CORNELIUS POLICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Here’s the Cornelius Police Department statement from Wednesday, July 16, 2014. 

Follow up information from Vehicle Pursuit on 07/12/2014

The internal review of the police pursuit of the wanted and dangerous suspect, Jeffrey Wayne Greene, is continuing. We anticipate this review will conclude in two weeks. If additional time is needed, further notice will be issued. All information that can be released to the public will be released at that time.

However, in advance of the completed review we are releasing a copy of our vehicle operations policy and the criminal case report for public review. The policy covers non-routine vehicle operations which includes a pursuit event such as the one currently under review.

Cornelius Police Department General Order 54- Police Vehicle Pursuit (PDF)

Criminal Case Report - 07.12.2014 – (PDF)

The vehicle operation policy will also be published on our website at www.cornelius.org/police.

RELATED COVERAGE

July 14, 2014, “Police dep’t. says officers ‘followed guidelines’ in Saturday chase”

July 12, 2014, “Wreck after police chase hurts 6 on Statesville Rd.; man faces charges”

A Subaru Outback (left) and a Ford SUV collided in the wreck. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

A two-vehicle wreck blocked traffic on North Main Street in Cornelius Wednesday evening just after 8pm. Cornelius firefighters, police and Medic responded to the crash, which happened at in the 20800 block of North Main Street/NC 115, at Pecan Street.

It appeared nobody was hurt in the wreck, which involved a Ford SUV and a Subaru Outback.

No further information was immediately available.

Cornelius firefighters responded to a wreck Tuesday morning on Torrence Chapel Road, at Knox Road. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

A black Toyota Highlander SUV collided with a dump truck at Knox and Torrence Chapel roads Tuesday morning, slightly injuring the SUV driver and leading to a hydraulic fluid spill from the truck.

The wreck happened around 10:30am at the intersection near Shops on the Green. Police diverted southbound traffic from Torrence Chapel onto Knox Road while the wreck was cleared.

The woman driving the SUV had minor injuries, while the driver of the dump truck was uninjured.

The collision caused a leak of 35 gallons of hydraulic fluid from the truck, and a clean-up company was called to contain the spill.

Firefighters were on the scene working to clean up a 35 gallon spill of hydraulic fluid from the dump truck (photo Jonathan Cox, CorneliusNews.net)

Police nearly apprehended a suspected drug dealer when they spotted his car on Meridian Street Sunday. The man evaded arrest by abandoning his car at the Cornelius Garden Apartments, but a warrant is out for his arrest. Meanwhile, police obtained an arrest warrant for a drunken driver who collided with a parked car at the Westmoreland Community Pool and fled the scene. Also this week, the police investigate the spray-painting of a car parked in front of Harris Teeter.

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from July 22-27

TUESDAY, JULY 22, 9:55pm, Harris Teeter, 19815 North Cove Dr –  Sometime between 9:34 and 9:47pm, an unknown suspect spray painted the driver’s side rear door and rear quarter panel of his Kia. The total estimated value of the damage was $800.

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 3:51pm, High Life Smoke Shop, 19501 W. Catawba Ave. – Officers investigated a suspicious blue Fiat 500 parked behind the High Life Smoke Shop, and found marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 5:23pm, 7400 Block Windaliere Dr. – Sometime between July 18 and July 25, the reporting person, a detective with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD, lost a Smith & Wesson MP40 semiautomatic handgun valued at $460.

SATURDAY, JULY 26, 4:30pm, Westmoreland Community Pool, 9500 Rosalyn Glen Rd. – The driver of a black SUV collided with another vehicle while backing out of the parking lot at the Westmoreland Community Pool. Witnesses said that the driver, who had been drinking with friends prior to the accident, got out of the car and looked at the damage before fleeing the scene. Police obtained a warrant for the suspect’s arrest for hit-and-run. The accident did $200 in damage to the suspect’s car, and $900 in damage to the parked vehicle.

SUNDAY, JULY 27, 12:22am, Meridian Street area –  Officers observed a known suspect’s vehicle, a 2013 Mazda 3. Officers attempted to catch up to the vehicle but the known suspect abandoned the vehicle at the Cornelius Garden Apartments located at 19315 Meridian Street. Further investigation of the car unearthed marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia. Warrants are pending for the known suspect.

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Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose boat slammed into a dock at the tip of the Nantz Road peninsula in Cornelius Tuesday night, possibly after suffering a heart attack.

Cornelius police, firefighters and a Medic ambulance were called to the dock, at a home at the end of Largo Place, off Nantz Road, at 11pm for a report of a cardiac arrest. They found the man unconscious in the boat, and attempted CPR without success. At 11:45pm, officials said they had discontinued CPR and declared him deceased.

The man’s name has not been released.

Cornelius police referred questions to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, which handles law enforcement on Lake Norman and is investigating.

NC Wildlife Sgt. Barry Rowell told CorneliusNews.net it appears the man suffered a heart attack while boating, and his boat collided with the dock. The man did not live at the home.

“It was a boat that ran ashore. It was still running when a Cornelius police officer arrived,” Rowell said.

We’ll update this story when more information becomes available.

It was the second death on Lake Norman Tuesday. Earlier in the day, divers pulled the body of a Lincolnton woman from the water in Denver, after she apparently drowned while swimming.   (See “Woman drowns in Lake Norman while swimming from pier”)

Charlotte Mecklenburg police on Sunday charged a Cornelius man with child abuse after his two-month-old son was found with old and new injuries. Police also investigated the theft of $4,488 of hardwood flooring from a construction site at 9300 Portage Drive, as well as the theft of a moped from the parking lot of the Lake Town Tavern. Meanwhile, a Glenmeade Road resident was assaulted by a suspect with a broken beer bottle. Read on for details.

• RELATED NEWS: DavidsonNews.net, “Suspect charged with trying to run officer down; drugs and cash seized”

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from July 26-August 4

MONDAY, JULY 26, 10:45am, Legacy Phase II construction site, 9300 Block, Portage Dr. – Sometime between Saturday at 8:30am and Monday at 10:40am, an unknown subject stole 68 bundles of hardwood laminate flooring from the construction site. The flooring is valued at approximately $66 each, totaling $4488.

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 8:35am, Cooke Rentals,18518 Statesville Rd – The victim stated that unknown suspect(s) took a BE Pressure Washer 13HP 3500 PSI gas pressure washer valued at $1,369 without permission.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 11:30pm, Novant Medical, 10030 Gilead Road, Huntersville – The victim stated that on Friday at approximately 11:30pm a suspect struck him in the face with a broken beer bottle at a residence located at 10200 block of Glenmeade Road in Cornelius.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2:37am, Lake Town Tavern, 19708 West Catawba Ave – The victim stated that unknown suspects stole his blue 2001 Kymco Moped, valued at $300, and helmet, valued at $40, from the Lake Town Tavern parking lot.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 4:08pm, Peninsula Yacht Club, 18501 Harbor Light Blvd – An unknown suspect broke into a boat at the yacht club. The suspect did not steal anything and no damage was done to the boat.

SUNDAY, AUG. 3 - Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Youth Crimes detectives came to the Cornelius Police Department to interview a 28-year-old Cornelius man about injuries to his two-month old son. During the interview, Scott Moss  confessed to shaking his son, causing serious injuries. Tests at Presbyterian Hospital confirmed that the infant had suffered both old and new injuries, Charlotte Mecklenburg police said. Matthews was charged with felony child abuse.  He was being held in Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, with bail said at $200,000. He was due in court Tuesday afternoon

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James Richard Haney, the Uncle Maddio’s employee charged with conspiring with the armed robbers.

HUNTERSVILLE - Police have taken an Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint employee into custody in connection to yesterday’s armed robbery. James Richard Haney, the shift leader at the pizza shop where employees were robbed at gunpoint yesterday, was arrested on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. 

Police say that Haney conspired with two others to commit the robbery. Warrants are out for the arrest of Cameron Lee Nash and Tommy Vanh Bountham, both of whom police say should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Nash or Bountham is encouraged to contact the Huntersville Police Department at 704-464-5400.

Yesterday’s armed robbery ended in a wreck at the intersection of Poole Place Drive and Bailey Road. Read our coverage here.

Tommy Vanh Bountham

Cameron Lee Nash

Huntersville police pursued an armed robber into Cornelius, where the suspect crashed his car and escaped capture. Meanwhile, Cornelius police investigate multiple car break-ins and two crimes involving boat batteries.

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from August 6-August 12

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 6:10pm, 172oo block Shadow Bark Dr. – The victim said that this morning between 1am and 5am an unknown subject entered into his blue 2003 Toyota 4Runner and took $300 in cash. The suspects then entered his gray 2008 Nissan Altima, but nothing was taken. Both vehicles were parked inside his attached garage.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 6:23pm, 19200 block Meridian St. – Police observed a known suspect, Stelia Das, standing outside a Meridian Street residence. The suspect had a confirmed felony warrant. When approached by officers, the suspect fled on foot. After a foot chase, the suspect was arrested at a nearby apartment for the felony warrant and charged with resisting arrest.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 9:16pm, 8700 block Forest Shadow Circle – The victim stated that on Friday at approximately 1:20am, an unknown suspect(s) entered into his 2012 Honda Accord while the vehicle was in his driveway, but did not take anything.

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DENVER - Lincoln County Sheriff’s detectives have identified the body of a man that was found floating offshore near Dick Wilson Road around 1pm on Thursday.

Neighbors saw the body of 53-year-old Richard Terry Locklin of 4699 Dick Wilson Road, Denver, floating roughly 45 feet from shore in the Lake Norman cove off Dick Wilson Road.

According to Sheriff David Carpenter of the Lincoln Police Department, “The body of the man was located off shore from a vacant lot which is used by some people to land their boat.”

The body will be sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are investigating an armed robbery Sunday at the Lake Norman Self Service Laser Wash, as well as the theft of more than $5,000 in roof shingles from a Coulter Parkway construction site. Meanwhile, a pedestrian wasn’t seriously injured when was hit by a motorcycle while running across the Exit 28 overpass. Police also are investigating the theft of a handgun and shotgun valued at a combined $1,000 from an Alto Tierra Drive residence. Read on for details.

TOWN OF CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

Below is a summary of Cornelius Police Department incident reports from August 13-August 18

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13, 4:15pm, 16500 block Knox Run Rd. – A resident reported that sometime between Aug. 9 at 4am and Aug. 13 at 2:30pm, unknown suspects entered her open garage and stole her red and black Trek X Caliber bicycle.

THURSDAY, AUG. 14, 9:47am, South Creek Construction, 18120 Coulter Parkway, Bailey’s Glen – Between Aug. 11 at 5pm and Aug. 12 at 8:30am, an unknown suspect(s) stole 30 squares of roofing shingles valued at $3,500 from the construction site. The suspects also stole 15 squares of roofing valued at $1,500 and a door valued at $150 from a construction site at 12300 block Meetinghouse Drive. The total amount of stolen property is valued at $5,150.

FRIDAY, AUG. 15, 3:07pm, I-77 Northbound Exit 28 – As a motorcycle driver was traveling down the entrance ramp onto north I-77 at Catawba Avenue, a pedestrian ran into the road in front of him. The driver was unable to stop in time, and hit the pedestrian. The pedestrian told the motorcycle driver he was OK, and ran toward the Sweet Dreams store located at 20647 Catawba Ave. The pedestrian later told police he had stopped in the westbound lane on the overpass, and walked around the side of his truck to check that some shrubs were still secure in the truck-bed when he was hit by the motorcycle. Aside from some cuts to the pedestrian’s hand, he and the driver were unharmed.

SUNDAY, AUG. 17, 4:46pm, Lake Norman Self Service Laser Wash, 20833 Catawba Ave. – The victim stated that an unknown suspect walked up to his car and lifted his shirt to show a black handgun stuffed into the waistband, then proceeded to take an American Eagle wallet valued at $30, a prescription of 65 Xanax valued at $30, and $75 in cash.

MONDAY, AUG. 18, 11:25am, 21100 block Alto Tierra Dr. -  The victim told police that an unknown person entered his bedroom and removed his High Point .45 Caliber JHP and 12 Gauge Browning Belgium Shotgun from a gun case. Total value of both firearms is $1,000.

MONDAY AUG. 18, 8:40pm, Catawba Ave. – A bicyclist was traveling south on Old Statesville Road when her shoulder hit the right rear-view mirror of a car traveling down the road.  The biker was not wearing a reflective vest and didn’t have safety lights on her bike. She declined medical treatment.

MONDAY, AUG. 18, 11:26pm, Tropicana Sports Bar, 19732 West Catawba Ave. -An unknown suspect attacked a victim at Tropicana Sports Bar with a bar glass, cutting his chin and neck. The victim was transported to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

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Seven Lake Norman Charter School students had only minor injuries after the pickup truck they were riding in crashed into a car on Verhoeff Drive in Huntersville Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Cornelius police investigated the theft of a handgun from a Brinkley Street residence, and obtained a warrant for the arrest of a Jimmy John’s delivery driver after a hit-and-run. And the Lincoln County Sheriff has issued another alert for a woman missing three months. Read on for details.

CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

SUNDAY, AUG. 17, 2:46pm, 18015 Kings Point Dr – The driver of a Jimmy Johns delivery car struck the bumper of a car parked at Kings Point Drive and left the scene. Video footage of the crash helped police identify the car as a Jimmy John’s delivery car. After police contacted the driver, she claimed the damage on her car was from an earlier wreck. Police have obtained an arrest warrant for the driver for the hit and run.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21, 11:07am, Econo Lodge, 20740 Torrence Chapel Rd – On Wednesday night, an unknown suspect smashed the rear window of a white GMC van, causing damage but not entering the vehicle. Damage was estimated at $600.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 4:41pm, 18810 block Vineyard Point Lane – Early Saturday morning, a known suspect used a paddle board to damage several items in the victim’s yard. The items damaged included a $200 fountain, a gate, a landscaping light, and plants, causing an estimated $325 in damage.

MONDAY, AUG. 25, 6:30pm, 208400 block Brinkley St. – An unknown subject broke into the victim’s house and stole a box containing $500 in clothing and a stainless steel Sig Sauer handgun valued at approximately $900. The total amount of stolen property was approximately $1,400.

HUNTERSVILLE WRECK

TUESDAY, AUG. 26, 7:30am, Verhoeff Dr., Huntersville – A pick-up truck carrying seven high school students to Lake Norman Charter School collided with a Honda Accord on Verhoeff Drive near the entrance to Central Piedmont Community College. Both cars were totaled and four of the students in the pick-up were thrown from the truck’s bed. They had cuts and scratches, but no serious injuries. The Honda driver was lucid and had no serious visible injuries, but he was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for evaluation. Huntersville Police Sgt. Brian Vaughan Department said there was no suspicion of alcohol or drugs being involved in the crash.

The missing woman, Toasha Rice

LINCOLN COUNTY WOMAN MISSING 3 MONTHS

Lincoln County authorities issued a new alert Tuesday as they continue the search for a woman missing since May.

The sheriff’s office said 27-year-old Toasha Nicole Rice was last seen May 26, getting into a black four-door sedan at a friend’s home on Eaker road. Lincoln County detectives have interviewed her friends and family and searched the wooded area of Sorrells Baxter Road and Eaker Road with a K9 team, but have not found the missing woman. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s department and the NC State Bureau of Investigation have also helped the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office following up tips.

Lt. Tim Johnson of Lincoln County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division said in a press release Tuesday: “Toasha has not contacted her family, used her financial credit cards, or picked up checks and that is not a good sign.”

Toasha who also goes by Nikki Green, is a white female with blue eyes and reddish brown hair. She is 5-foot-6 and weighs approximately 140 pounds. Anyone with information about her is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050, the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202 or Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.

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A minivan and a pickup were damaged in this wreck Friday morning on NC 115. (James Sanders/CorneliusNews.net)

Traffic on South Main Street/NC 115 was backed up around 8am Friday after a minor three-vehicle wreck in the southbound lane across from Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

Nobody was hurt in the crash, which was reported at 7:56am. One vehicle was towed because of heavy front-end damage, police said.

Nobody was hurt in the wreck, which slowed traffic at rush hour. (James Sanders/CorneliusNews.net)

The wreck happened on S. Main Street, across from Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. (James Sanders/CorneliusNews.net)

A thief or thieves sawed through piping to steal a chlorination unit from the pool at Mill Creek pool house  Saturday night. On Saturday morning, a woman blamed a bug that flew into in her ear for a wreck on Bailey Road. Meanwhile, police investigated an assault on Catawba Avenue around 1:50am Sunday, when an unknown assailant put the victim in a headlock and punched. An unknown thief also stole two storage trailers valued at a combined $4,900 from the Bexley at Lake Norman Storage Lot. Read on for details.

CORNELIUS INCIDENT REPORTS

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 1pm, Heritage Green Clubhouse, 19055 Long Pond Lane – an unknown suspect pried open a Sundrop Drink Machine and took approximately $20.00 from the change dispenser. Total amount for damage and money loss is $1520.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30, 2:34am, Statesville Rd. and Catawba Ave. intersection – A car stopped past the stop bar on Statesville Road, and when the light turned green the vehicle remained stopped. The officer found the driver passed out in the driver seat. The vehicle was running and in the gear shifter in the drive position. Field sobriety tests were administered and the driver was unable to perform the test as instructed. The driver arrested and charged with DWI.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30, 9:55am, Bailey Road – A driver was traveling down Bailey Road when a bug flew into her ear. While trying to get it out she collided with a tree, causing a cut to her right arm. The driver refused transportation to the hospital.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30, 7pm, Mill Creek Pool House, 21711 Aftonshire Dr. – An unknown suspect used a cutting tool to saw through two pipes and steal the pool chlorination system. The estimated value of the stolen property was $800.

SUNDAY, AUG. 31, 1:50am, 20832 Catawba Avenue – The victim stated in the middle of Sunday night, an unknown suspect placed him in a head lock and struck him in the head with his fist causing a laceration the left side of his head.

MONDAY, SEPT. 1, 12:40am, 9826 block Penn Station Street – An unknown suspect broke into four vehicles parked on the Penn Station Street, stealing only $20 total in change.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 7:55am, I-77 southbound Mile 29 – A driver fell asleep in the stop-and-go traffic bound toward Charlotte Saturday morning and collided with the vehicle in front of him.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 1:15pm, Bexley at Lake Norman Storage Lot, 20419 Sterling Bay Lane – An unknown person removed two enclosed trailers from the storage lot. The approximate combined value of the trailers is $4,900.

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