Monday night carjacking creates doubt in Light Rail security

CHARLOTTE — Nineteen-year-old Jose Aguirre was the victim of a carjacking Monday night. Aguirre had just gotten off of the Light Rail at the Sharon Road West station.

Police arrested and charged JaJuan Arnold and Kaevon Leonard for their involvement in the incident.

He told police he got off of the train around 8:30 p.m. and walked to his car while listening to music with ear buds. When he sat in the driver’s seat and reached back to close the door he saw two men standing there, one holding a gun.

He gave the two men his wallet, phone, iPod, and his book bag. One man jumped in the driver’s seat, and told Aguirre to get in the front passenger’s seat.

“I said ‘no,’ I wasn’t going to do that,” Aguirre said. Aguirre thought they wanted to kidnap him for ransom. He was surprised they did not insist. Instead, the two suspects drove away.

“My confidence in the Light Rail system has really gone down a lot,” said Aguirre.

Aguirre said prior to this incident he always felt safe getting into his car. He used the Light Rail to get to classes at CPCC and his job. He says he will not take the train again anytime soon, and wants police to increase patrols in the area.

WSOC