On The Run: Here’s How Many Suspects Are Cutting Off Monitors

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte police are looking for an 18-year-old man they say cut off his court-ordered electronic monitor this week. He’s one of a growing list of suspects who have removed the ankle device that is often one of the conditions set by a judge allowing for pretrial release.

Tyrelle Dai’Shon Gaston is wanted on a charge stemming from shooting into an occupied dwelling, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Wednesday. Gaston is described as 6-foot tall and 160 pounds and was last known to be in the 2900 block of Turning Oak Drive in Charlotte.

About 400 people awaiting trial participate in the electronic monitoring device program at any given time, according to CMPD. Participants are monitored by the CMPD’s electronic monitoring unit, which is manned by one sergeant and seven detectives.

Of the current roster of participants, 20 are homicide suspects out on bond awaiting trial. So far this year, 252 people in the program have had their bond revoked and 59 have cut their monitors off.

The devices have also helped lead to new arrests, CMPD said. This year alone, at least a dozen people wearing electronic monitors were arrested based upon correlation of their location with a crime scene. In 2018, two participants were charged with murder and 25 were charged with committing robberies, CMPD said.

CMPD said anyone with information about Gaston’s whereabouts should immediately contact the Electronic Monitoring Unit at 704-432-8888, option #3 or call 911.