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Suspect seen jumping on train to escape police, rearrested in court

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man who was seen from Chopper 9 jumping onto a train to escape police was arrested again Tuesday afternoon during a court appearance.

William Mason faces several charges, including riding on a train unlawfully, trespassing and possession of a stolen vehicle.

He was released from jail hours after he turned himself in without having to post bond. But during his first court appearance, a deputy walked over and put him in handcuffs on another charge of stealing a car.

[PAST COVERAGE: Suspect ditches car, jumps onto moving train to escape police]

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the stolen vehicle, which police said was being driven by Mason, as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's helicopter followed it in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85 last Wednesday.

CMPD said the situation was not a vehicle pursuit.

Only Channel 9 captured the moments as the driver weaved in and out of traffic along I-85 and when the Honda nearly hit another car.

[IMAGES: Suspect ditches car, jumps on moving train during Charlotte chase]

At one point, the driver jumped out of the car, ran toward train tracks and jumped onto a moving train in order to get away.

Not first time suspect has gotten a break 

Channel 9 searched court records and found it isn't the first time that Mason has gotten a break.

In October, Vito Stell parked his car in front of his home on Barringer Drive.

"I parked it, two hours later I got out early in the morning, because I'm an early riser and it was gone," Stell said.

Several weeks later, police called Stell to tell him they'd found his car.

"A detective called me and he said they had a suspect. Fingerprints was all on it. He said fingerprints were on the gas cap, the steering wheel," Stell said.

Authorities said the fingerprints belonged to Mason, but court records showed that prosecutors dismissed the charges against Mason because even with the fingerprints, they didn't have any other corroborating evidence that Mason stole the car.

"I mean, anytime the system fails to do something, I mean, like, get somebody and let him go, I mean they're going to do it again because they feel like they got away with something," Stell said.

Becker just investigated why charges against chase suspects don't always hold.

[9 Investigates: Rise in Charlotte police chases]

He found that most charges are dismissed in plea deals with prosecutors.

An assistant district attorney also told Becker that the charges connected to the chases are often less serious than other charges the defendants might be facing, and that's why they're dismissed.

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