3 girls lead police on chase through uptown

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say three teen-age girls led authorities on a chase through busy uptown Charlotte streets Friday night before crashing near Time-Warner Cable Arena and the Transportation Center.

The three were driving a car that had been stolen in a carjacking a short time earlier, police say.

And, add witnesses, the driver of the car screamed and cussed at police and bystanders after the chase ended on East Trade Street.

But no injuries were reported.

Police say it began about 7:30 p.m., when three young women allegedly carjacked a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu at gunpoint on Farmhurst Drive, in a neighborhood off Nations Ford Road in southwest Charlotte. About 20 minutes later, a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper spotted a similar vehicle headed northbound on Interstate 77, between Clanton and Remount roads.

When the trooper tried to stop the vehicle, police say, the Chevrolet pulled away.

The driver of the car got off I-77 and eventually got onto uptown streets, with the Highway Patrol in pursuit. Along the way, police say, the Malibu hit or grazed at least two other vehicles.

Eventually, the driver of the Malibu got on Trade Street, which was busy with patrons headed to restaurants and clubs, and others who were arriving late for the evening performance of the circus at Time-Warner Arena. Police say the driver of the Malibu swerved several times and finally crashed into a tree at Trade and Brevard streets.

One of the girls ran off and remained at large Saturday morning. The other two were taken into custody, police say -- but not until after the driver of the Chevrolet voiced her displeasure to people nearby.

The two girls who were taken into custody were juveniles, police say. The third girl was identified by police as 16-year-old Cherish Moise. As of midday Saturday, she remained at large.

All three will be charged with common law robbery and theft of a vehicle, police say.

via charlotteobserver.com