CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte man, accused of violent crimes, is on the run after cutting off his electronic monitor.
Christopher Crittenden was last tracked along busy University City Boulevard on Saturday.
Crittenden, 28, is a convicted felon and has had an electronic monitor for about a year and a half, after he and another man were charged with attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. They’re accused of robbing a man in Sugar Creek Park and shooting him in the stomach.
"I would not have let him out," said Monica Ramadan, who lives in the area with three kids.
University of North Carolina-Charlotte student Madlen Ivanova is worried for her safety and that of her friends after hearing about it.
"When you first do something like this, what will stop him from doing it a second time?" she said.
Records show a judge ordered Crittenden could be released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond and wear the monitor until his pending trial.
"It creates a huge public safety issue," said Marcus Philemon.
He created CharMeck Court Watch eight years ago after seeing repeat offenders back on the streets.
"I think it sets a very dangerous precedent for community safety," Philemon said.
A spokesman with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police told Channel 9 that officers just enforce and track monitors after a court order.
Crittenden isn't the only one who has cut his off. So far this year, 20 suspects have cut off their monitors. At the same time last year, 15 had. Last year, a total of 78 cut off their monitors compared to 43 in 2014.
Call 911 or call Crime Stopper at 704-334-1600 if you have any information.
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