MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A group of suspects linked to dozens of car break-ins was arrested in Mooresville after a police chase ended with a crash near Interstate 77, investigators said.
Mooresville Police responded to a report of car break-ins at the Legacy Village apartments around 4:30 a.m. on Friday. When officers arrived, they saw four people speeding away from the complex in a 2018 Audi that was reported stolen. Mooresville officers pursued the suspects onto West Wilson Avenue until their vehicle broke down, and all four jumped and ran near the Mooresville Golf Course.
While officers searched the woods for the group, detectives said three suspects were seen leaving the area in a stolen Kia. Responding officers chased the suspects toward I-77 at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Kia lost control while on the on-ramp and crashed. All three suspects were taken to Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.
The fourth suspect was found a little later in the woods near Wilson Avenue where the first chase ended. Officials said a Mooresville officer suffered a head injury while taking one of the suspects into custody. The officer was treated and released from Carolinas Medical Center.
The suspects were all between the ages of 19 and 21 and from nearby cities. Mooresville Police said the suspects have been linked to over 70 car break-ins, three stolen cars and stolen guns, which have been recovered. The crime spree stretches several neighborhoods.
They've been identified as:
- Ryshard Malachi Wingate, 20, of Albemarle - 11 counts of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, felony possessing stolen goods, misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He received a $100,000 secured bond and has additional charges pending.
- Jalen Keyshawn Sanders, 20, of Charlotte - 13 counts of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle and felony conspiracy. Sanders received a $120,000 secured bond and has additional charges pending.
- Jayquan Keyshawn Curry, 21, of Charlotte - 11 counts of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of felony larceny of a firearm, felony possessing stolen goods, and felony fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehcile. Curry received a $195,000 secured bond and has additional charges pending.
- Tywon Antwain Tilman, 19, of Charlotte - 11 counts of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, two counts of felony larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of felony larceny of a firearm, and felony possessing stolen goods. Tilman received a $100,000 secured bond and has additional charges pending.
“We’re on high alert for this type of activity or any type of criminal activity and we will not tolerate anybody, local or not local coming in to victimize our community,” said Assistant Police Chief Frank Falzone.
Friday's chase impacted neighbors across the area, but victims were hit the hardest. Chris Robinson's car was broken into and he recounted his experience.
“When I got up to go out in the morning, I realized that we all had glass everywhere for the most part,” he said. “It’s really not where you live anymore, it’s everywhere.”
Clean-up costs some residents hundreds of dollars.
“It’s also the damage that they do while they are breaking into the car,” said James Lochren, an installer for Glass America. “Damage to the paint, damage to the interior, have to clean the glass.”
Robinson is relieved to know the suspects are behind bars but it doesn’t take the burden away for those trying to make ends meet.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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