Manhunt For Suspected Bank Robber In East Charlotte Called Off

FBI agents and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers spent hours looking for an accused bank robber in East Charlotte before calling off their search just before midnight.

Part of Independence Boulevard was shut down and an apartment complex locked down while officers searched for Taj Pittman.

The FBI wouldn't release many details, but said an agent fired his weapon at about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday near the McAlpine Ridge apartments on Krefeld Drive.

Officers first called off the search for Pittman at the McAlpine Ridge apartments, at about 9 p.m. About 45 minutes later, officers swarmed the area again. They were searching all vehicles leaving the complex.

Pittman is wanted on state and federal charges for robbing a Kannapolis bank in November and at least two other banks in Cabarrus and Stanly counties.

The FBI said he bonded out of jail in Cabbarus County Tuesday, and new warrants were issued for him Wednesday.

"It's nervous, disconcerting you don't know where this guy may show up and guns being drawn, that kind of thing," said Lynn Smoot, who lives in the area.

“He should be considered armed and dangerous,” said FBI spokeswoman Amy Thoreson.

Pittman is 5 feet 7 inches and weighs about 220 pounds. He has a scorpion tattoo on the left side of his neck. If you see him, call police.