Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have arrested two people and obtained warrants for the arrest of three more in connection with acts of theft and vandalism that occurred in uptown Charlotte during Wednesday night’s protest.
As a large crowd of people marched to protest the police killing of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott, a relatively small group of vandals mixed in with the group went on a rampage – smashing windows, looting shops and spray painting buildings. CMPD Chief Kerr Putney had vowed to arrest those responsible.
A CMPD spokeswoman said video footage allowed investigators to identify some of the suspects. Putney said at a Thursday press conference that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have at least 1,000 cameras positioned around the city. In addition, acts of vandalism also were captured on private cell phones and posted on social media.
CMPD identified the suspects as:
Ian Bowzer, 19, accused of kicking in the doors of the Hyatt Hotel on East Trade Street. Bowzer was arrested Thursday and charged with injury to real property. He was freed on $3,000 bail.
Daniel Baker, 49, accused of being one of several people who broke into the Jimmy Johns restaurant on South Tryon Street. He was charge charged with felony breaking and entering. Baker was jailed on a $1,500 bail.
Jamil Gill, 23, accused of being one of several people who broke in a Jimmy Johns restaurant on South Tryon Street. A warrant for his arrest charges him with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy and injury to real property
Dejuante B. Marina, 31, accused of being one of several people who broke in a Jimmy Johns restaurant on South Tryon Street. A warrant for his arrest charges him with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy and damage to property.
Marcellis McKenzie, 30, accused of being among a large group of people who broke in a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant on East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. A warrants for his arrest charges him with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy and injury to real property.
Anyone with additional information on these incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
