CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said its officers seized seven firearms and charged four people, including juveniles, after responding to a report of armed people wearing ski masks in the 1200 block of Campus Pointe Court on Aug. 9.
Officers with the University City Division responded to the off-campus apartment complex near UNC Charlotte after a caller reported seeing several people carrying long guns into a residence. Police surrounded the building and detained eight suspects before executing a search warrant that uncovered weapons, including three with automatic conversion switches and approximately 10 grams of suspected marijuana.
Officers surrounded the residence at The Union off-campus apartment complex and conducted a callout. Four suspects quickly stepped outside. As officers continued calling out to the residence, someone threw a bag containing firearms out of a window. Four additional suspects exited the apartment shortly after.
Police obtained and executed a search warrant for the apartment, locating three additional firearms, CMPD said. Officers also found a stolen vehicle at the complex that was connected to the suspects. In total, officers seized seven firearms, including three equipped with automatic conversion switches, along with approximately 10 grams of suspected marijuana.
Following an investigation, authorities charged two adults and two juveniles. Camarion Jaleak Croutch, 18, was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Brandell Dumarcus Norman, 37, was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents, Croutch and Norman had a Glock 23 and an Omega 15 rifle pistol, both fitted with automatic switches.
A 16-year-old juvenile was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of a firearm by a minor. A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Police emphasized the role of community tips in resolving the incident safely.
“This case is a clear example of how important it is to report suspicious behavior as soon as you see it,” police said in a news release. “Thanks to timely community reporting, officers were able to intervene quickly, resulting in seven firearms seized and four individuals arrested.”