Two-hour SWAT standoff leads to man arrested for robbing 2 Charlotte hotels

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A two-hour SWAT standoff led to a man being arrested for robbing two hotels in Charlotte, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to the Knights Inn on Nations Ford Road just before 12 p.m. Sunday after reports of a robbery suspect being there.

The suspect, 38-year-old Luis Elejarde, refused to come out, which led to a two-hour standoff with a SWAT team before he surrendered to police.

Residents in the area were evacuated during the incident, according to officials.

Elejarde is facing charges for robbing the Comfort Inn on Westpark Drive around 6 a.m. Saturday. Officers said he demanded money and displayed a gun to employees, before fleeing in a car.

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Authorities said Elejarde is also facing charges for an armed robbery around 6 p.m. Saturday at the Super 8 on Texland Boulevard. Police said he fled this scene in a car, as well.

Officers said Elejarde was taken to the hospital as a precaution and will be taken to police headquarters afterward.

No other details have been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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