Charlotte Carjacking Suspect May Have Drowned Running From Police: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC -- In a bizarre turn of events, Charlotte Police are using a boat to search for a suspect wanted for an armed robbery and carjacking Monday night and now say they believe he may have drowned in a rain-swollen creek while trying to escape from officers.

Charlotte Fire Department, as well as CMPD’s Aviation unit, have been called in to assist in the search for an unnamed suspect feared drowned in a creek off West Morehead and Freedom Drive, CMPD said Tuesday afternoon.

The events precipitating the search began with a late night armed robbery and carjacking occurred at Ed’s Tavern Park Road at 2200 Park Road around 11:30 p.m. Aug. 14. The stolen car was eventually recovered in the Wilmore Neighborhood by using the OnStar navigation system, CMPD said.

Following the reporting of the carjacking, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police later spotted a red sedan with a person matching the suspect’s description and attempted to pull it over for a traffic stop. The suspects in the car would not stop, however, and “a short pursuit ensued,” before the two suspects stopped and fled at the Interstate-77 ramp on South Clarkson Street, CMPD said.

One of the men in the car, Jerry McCorey, 27, was detained and arrested, while the other suspect ran from police. With the assistance of a K-9 unit brought to the scene, officers were able to find the second suspect’s footprints leading to a creek, but the dog was unable to pick up a trail on the other side, CMPD said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Charlotte — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Officers now believe the second suspect, who McCorey refuses to identify to police, may have drowned in the swollen creek that rose up to 7-8 feet during torrential rains Monday night.

CMPD asks that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 704.334-1600, or call 911.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

Photo courtesy of CMPD

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