Man charged with breaking and entering after ramming stolen truck into Dollar General

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged a man with breaking and entering after he allegedly rammed a stolen truck into a northwest Charlotte Dollar General store Saturday morning.

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Officers responded to the Dollar General on Oakdale Road at Sunset Road around 7 a.m. after reports that a white truck that had smashed into the front doors of the business.

CMPD said 42-year-old Matthew Hartsell drove the truck into the business, stole property from inside and quickly left the scene.

A short time after, officers responded to a crash in which a truck, driven by Hartsell, struck a fence on Oakdale Road. An investigation revealed Hartsell as the suspect in the Dollar General incident and he was arrested.

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Hartsell has been charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

During the investigation, officials determined that the truck used by Hartsell had been recently stolen from the parking lot at Novant Health in Huntersville.

Those who live in the area said it is very surprising to see a crime like this happen in the neighborhood.

Neighbor Dennis Reddish said he was shocked by the crime, but was thankful no was got hurt.

"You never know what's going to happen because somebody could be pulling into the lot and he's running into the front of the building," Reddish said. "Just be safe out here. You never know what's going on these days."

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