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Man who has been arrested 63 times assaults three officers, police say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man who has already arrested 63 times in Mecklenburg County and who was wearing an ankle monitor assaulted three police officers Tuesday night, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officials said.

[PAST COVERAGE: Local nightclub raises money for ice cream man robbed, beaten in south Charlotte]

According to CMPD, Romell Donkiese Kamal Mackey, 23, resisted arrest during a larceny call on South Boulevard and attacked an officer. That officer suffered bruises, lacerations and a possible head injury.

Rommell Mackey

(Mackey)

A good Samaritan helped the CMPD officer subdue Mackey, and he was arrested. But on the way to jail, Mackey tried to escape and assaulted two more officers, authorities said.

Marcus Griswold told police his car was stolen from his home in Steele Creek.

“I parked my car in the driveway and my vehicle's gone,” Griswold said.

Police checked their ankle monitoring system Monday pinpointing Mackey at the scene of the crime.

They tracked Mackey’s monitor to the Park and Ride lot on Scaleybark Road and found Griswold’s car.

Mackey would not be found until the next day.

Police said Mackey was trying to steal from a used bookstore on South Boulevard and that was when police officers confronted him.

“Arrested 63 times? Griswold said. “How is that possible?”

The officer in the initial attack was taken to Atrium Health and was released.

Mackey was charged with:

  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
  • Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
  • Unlawful Concealment (shoplifting)
  • Damage to Property
  • Two counts of Resist/Obstruct/Delay a Law Enforcement Officer
  • Malicious Conduct by a Prisoner
  • Two counts of Damage to Property
  • Two counts of Communicating Threats

Mackey’s previous charges include:

  • First-degree burglary
  • First-degree trespassing
  • Auto theft
  • Armed robbery
  • Possession of stolen goods
  • Possession of marijuana and resisting arrest

Police said Mackey attacked and robbed an ice cream man last year on Archdale Drive. Investigators said Mackey punched the victim in the face while another man held a gun to his head.

[Local nightclub raises money for ice cream man robbed, beaten in south Charlotte]

Marcus Philemon with CharMeck Court Watch has had Mackey on his radar since he was charged with attacking that ice cream vendor.

“They keep putting these individuals back on the streets, which wreaks havoc in society,” Philemon said.

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Marcus Philemon with CharMeck Court Watch has had Mackey on his radar since he was charged with attacking the ice cream vendor.

He said Mackey is one of many repeat offenders who play the criminal justice system.

“They know what they can get away with,” Philemon said. “They know how far they can push the envelope, and they know there are no consequences, and that's why there continues to be an uptick of crime in Mecklenburg County.”

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