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Man arrested more than 40 times prompts north Charlotte SWAT standoff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police had to block off a road in a neighborhood north of uptown and surrounded a home while they worked for hours negotiating with a man they said has been arrested more than 40 times.

Officers closed Saint Mark Street near Beatties Ford Road overnight and called their SWAT team to help deal with the man who refused to come out of the house.

Around 10:30 p.m. Monday, detectives responded to the 1900 block of Saint Mark Street in an effort to find Demont Forte, who was wanted on outstanding warrants for felony breaking and entering, assault on a female and communicating threats earlier that day.

When police arrived at the home, they spotted Forte and tried to get him to surrender peacefully but he refused to come out of the house, according to officials.

Police said that due to Forte's prior violent criminal history and behavior, they called in the SWAT team. Authorities said Forte has been arrested over 40 times, including for murder in 1992. As a precaution, neighbors were relocated while negotiations took place.

"Mr. Forte has extensive history, multiple violent and drug arrests,” said Maj. Mike Smathers. “He was also charged with murder in 1992. Because of that, and his refusal to come out, SWAT team was activated and came out."

A woman who told Channel 9 she was inside the house at the time said she and her boyfriend got into a fight. She said he was not armed, but was afraid to come out.

Channel 9 could hear officers using a loud speaker trying to coax Forte outside and just before 8 a.m. a loud bang was heard, followed by about five more softer bangs.

Eventually, officers were able to remove the front door.

“That allowed officers to make a partial entry, communicate face-to-face and take him into custody,” Smathers said.

Shortly after, police told Channel 9 that Forte had been taken into custody and taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.

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