You Stink: A car air freshener caused one man a lot of trouble last week after he was pulled over for making an illegal turn. The officer making the stop "detected the strong odor of an air freshener emitting from the interior" of the vehicle and grew suspicious that perhaps the strong odor could be coming from the man, so he conducted a sobriety test. After the driver failed, he jumped in his car and sped away. During the ensuing chase, the suspect collided with three vehicles and nine miles later abandoned the vehicle, which in the end had only three tires and extensive damage.
Gun Control: A 36-year-old woman used a weapon to protect her children last week, but ended up being no match for two assailants. The woman told officers that two strangers were on her porch, so she opened the door — .380 pistol in hand — to tell them to leave. One of the strangers reportedly grabbed the woman, and the second punched her in the face. The first suspect then pushed her to the ground, causing her to drop the gun. The second suspect grabbed the gun, and both fled the scene.
Mechanic Panic: Employees at an Auto Zone on Harris Boulevard called police last week after a man allegedly entered the store waving a machete, threatening the mechanic who had worked on his car earlier in the day for using the wrong parts.
Laid Back: Employees at a local Walgreens proved they weren't vigilant against shoplifting, as they reportedly watched a man steal from them twice before getting away. Employees told officers the man came into the store with a plastic bag and filled it with body wash and bars of soap. The employees did not attempt to stop him from leaving the store. The workers said the suspect then re-entered, filling his bag with packs of T-shirts and underwear, and left again without confrontation.
Above the Law: Police at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport arrested a woman after she apparently decided the law did not apply to her. The woman allegedly parked in front of a "No Stopping" sign and ignored officers who asked her to move multiple times. One officer asked for her license. She then drove backward a small distance and stopped. The officer followed and asked again. She refused and said, "I know the law." When she finally gave up the license, it was found to be revoked. She was arrested for resisting arrest, failure to comply with an officer, and driving with a revoked license.
Blotter items are chosen from the files of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.