9 Investigates: Rental cars used to elude law enforcement

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By Blake Hanson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On northwest Charlotte's Burbank Drive, there is a typically quiet cluster of homes.

"It's a nice neighborhood," Jowanda Holmes said. "I grew up in this area."

However, what unfolded on Nov.10 startled the neighborhood. A new Ford Fusion darted through the area's residential streets, sideswiping cars until it was disabled.

Charlotte police said two men, Anthony Woods and Jarrett Edwards, were in that car while two other men, Anthony Bost and Ronald Hargette, drove off in another. All four had just robbed a Wells Fargo branch, according to police.

Federal court filings accuse the group of having something else in common: They were all in rental cars.

"It's obviously become more prevalent," Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said.

Campbell told Eyewitness News his deputies see rental cars used in crime all the time.

Eyewitness News rode along with Iredell County's Interstate Criminal Enforcement team. The force sees rentals used in crimes like drug trafficking and human trafficking. Officials said they have even seen rental cars used in cases tied to terrorism.

However, investigators point out that it goes beyond criminals using the rental.

In the Charlotte bank robbery, neither of the rentals were taken out in any of the suspect's names. Instead, prosecutors said Woods' mother rented one and a female friend of Bost's rented another just a day before the bank robbery and chase.

"They say 'Hey we didn't give them permission, they took it without me,'" Campbell said.

Campbell said using rental cars gives criminals a handful of benefits. If officers run a license plate, they don't immediately know who is inside.

If a rental is used in a crime, the government can't seize it. If the suspects get away, it's harder to track who was inside.

"Really the way it is now it's a win-win for them," said Campbell.

One state is doing something about it. A legislator in Massachusetts introduced a bill which would put someone behind bars if the person renting the car knowingly lets someone drive it to commit a crime.

Officers say legislation like that could help.

"Hopefully it will deter that type of activity," Campbell said.

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