Police charge man after foot pursuit

MONROE NC July 18 2009

Police say that they spotted a suspicious male entering the Monroe Crossings Mall Friday evening and stopped to question him. One officer thought that the man had been previously trespassed from the mall.

As police and security officers approached the man he took off running leading police around the mall, through several parking lots and across busy Highway 74. Police officers were yelling for him to stop but he continued to lead officers on a foot chase and was eventually caught behind a furniture store where he fought with officers and was pepper sprayed.

Michael Shane Womack ,32, Monroe, was arrested on several charges including Resisting, Delaying and Obstructing Law Enforcement. He was treated on scene by Union County EMS and then transported to the Union County jail and was being held pending a bond release.

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Good Samaritan helps police nab hit-run driver

Monroe NC July 18 2009

By: Rick McCann/staff

A Good Samaritan helped police nab a hit and run suspect Friday night after he hit a vehicle in Monroe and then took off.

Police said that Efran Loera, 35, Monroe is accused of being behind the wheel while intoxicated and causing an accident that injured the driver of the other car.

The Good Samaritan kept police informed of where Loera was and gave a detailed account of what happened including the description of the vehicle and license plate number. Loera was able to dodge the Samaritan but police caught up with him at 58 Jerry St. in Monroe and placed him under arrest.

Loera is now charged with Driving While Impaired, Leaving The Scene of an Injury Accident and Operating With No Drivers License.

He is currently being held at the Union County jail on a $3,000 secured bond.

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Man charged with shooting into Tumbleweeds

MONROE, N.C. July 18 2009– City police have arrested Thomas James, 40,  for shooting into Tumbleweeds Bar and Grill in Monroe on Thursday.

Police were called to the restaurant after someone fired several rounds into the building. Shortly after the shooting, officers pulled over a car matching descriptions by witnesses.

Officers took the driver into custody and found two M4 rifles inside the car .

 Police have charged James with assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied property and going armed to the terror of the people.

No one was hurt inside the bar.

Matthews accident seriously injures one

MATTHEWS NC JULY 18 2009

A midday accident on Independence Blvd.near the IHOP restaurant injured several people. Medic transported one person who was seriously injured to Carolina Medical Center.