2 Brothers Arrested, Face At Least 70 Crimes Between Them: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC — A two-year crime spree of car break-ins and theft has come to an end for the Caldwell brothers, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Tuesday.

Joseph Caldwell, 25, and his brother Isaiah Caldwell, 18, were apprehended by police during a Feb. 26 foot chase, and now face at least 70 charges between the two of them for crimes reported in Charlotte and Cornelius, CMPD said.

According to a police account, Joseph Caldwell's crime spree began during the summer of 2019 when the then-24-year-old removed a court-ordered electronic monitoring device before he was to stand trial on five felony charges related to theft from vehicles.

"Beginning on July 11, 2019, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department began receiving reports of a spree of car break-ins in the North Division, and for the next two months, communities in the North Division continued to be victimized," CMPD said.

Among the items reported stolen were a firearm, purses, wallets and other valuables.

In August 2019, investigators "caught a break" when a stolen credit card was used. Video surveillance, coupled with other evidence, identified Joseph Caldwell as the suspect wanted in three additional cases, CMPD said.

Caldwell was later connected to seven additional theft cases following the discovery of a "large amount of stolen property," police said. "Detectives then sought additional warrants on Caldwell, who now had a combined total of 39 outstanding warrants," CMPD said.

Detectives attempted to apprehend Caldwell in December 2020 after learning information about his whereabouts, but he was able to evade arrest during a foot chase.

He, along with his brother Isaiah, were spotted Feb. 26 in Charlotte. They ran from police but were both apprehended.

"At the time of the arrest, Caldwell was in possession of a stolen vehicle as well as a firearm that had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle back in 2020," CMPD said.

Following the arrest, Joseph Caldwell was served with 55 outstanding warrants.

Isaiah Caldwell was served with 15 warrants following his arrest from similar offenses in Cornelius. He was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of marijuana and resist/delay/obstruct a law enforcement officer.

More charges could potentially be forthcoming. "Detectives are continuing to investigate and determine if there are any additional cases related to this crime spree," said CMPD.