Police: Chase ending in woods triggers lockdown at Mint Hill high school

MINT HILL, N.C. — A police chase Tuesday resulted in two people being arrested and a nearby school going into lockdown, police said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it was the result of a chase that ended before 1:30 p.m. in Mint Hill, by the ramp from Highway 51 to Interstate 485 Outer.

(Photos: Search in the woods triggers lockdown for nearby high school, CMS says)

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Mint Hill search Search in the woods triggers lockdown for nearby high school, CMS says

The incident stemmed from an armed robbery on Sept. 29, police said. On Tuesday, officers identified a truck, later found to be stolen, that was involved in that robbery.

Police said the driver didn’t stop when police tried to pull the vehicle over, so a chase began. It ended when the people inside jumped out of it and ran into the woods, police said.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and could see about a dozen Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers in and around the woods near the ramp. K-9 officers appeared to be searching the area as well.

CMPD blocked off the ramp while they searched for the suspects.

Two people were taken into custody at the scene. A third person was taken into custody but not charged.

CMPD identified the suspects as Robert Stewart and Brianna Plyler, saying they face several charges. Stewart is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, and attempt to elude law enforcement, among other charges. Plyler’s charges include robbery with a dangerous weapon and resist/delay/obstruct officers.

A spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said Rocky River High School was on lockdown until shortly after 2 p.m. due to the incident.

Sandra Scott is an Uber and Lyft driver. She said she was coming back from a job when she took video of the incident.

“I saw a police officer getting out with an AK-47/long rifle with handles. Scared the blank out of me because I thought he was going to start shooting,” she said.

“And at the same time, I was like what are you going to fire at, the doors are open, it looks like the car is empty,” she added.

The car may have been empty at the time, but it’s a scene Scott said she won’t soon forget.

“I see this stuff on TV, but it’s a different story when you actually see it happen right in front of you,” she said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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