Archdale Drive Ain't What It Used To Be

Friday morning CMPD's Homicide Unit was conducting a homicide investigation in the 300 block of Archdale Drive in the Steele Creek Division.

Having arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m., officers were responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service in the 300 block of Archdale Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim with a gunshot wound. Medic pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.

Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Search Unit processed the scene and the victim in this case was identified as Lashunda Shmicka McLendon, 42yo. 

The CMPD press release stated "The victim’s family has been notified of (his) death."

McLendon it turns out is a woman who was well liked by most accounts. 

Witnesses provided that there was some sort of argument which seemed to quiet down until gunshots were heard.

According to CMPD early Saturday morning Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), Metro Division and Freedom Division located and arrested the suspect.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman, 43yo, was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and interviewed by homicide detectives.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman Photo Courtesy MCSO

At the conclusion of the interviews, Rahman was transferred into custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Rahman has been charged with, Murder and Possession of Firearm by a Felon.

This isn't Rahman's first rodeo she has a number of priors, convictions and dismissals. Cases in Stanly and Iredell Counties are outstanding. Her arrest in Locust back in May concerns shoplifting and conspiracy She had been free on a $5,000.00 cash secured bond in that case. 

Other convictions reported are for AWDW, DWI Level 5, Assault on an Officer, Possession, and Felony Larceny.

Cedar's Take:

First Incarceration saves lives. Rahman should have been in prison after her second or third conviction.

Second Archdale ain't what is used to be. This is the second homicide in five days. What was once a blue collar and white neighborhood has become just another Charlotte shithole occupied by thugs and hoodrats as well as  hispanics who live 12 to an apartment. 

Once again Charlotte's City Council insistence on providing affordable housing (aka apartments) has made Charlotte a bug light for the vastly undeserable undercase of Americans. 

Watch the next decade as "South Charlotte" continues to shrink. Archdale Drive, South Boulevard at one time was a pretty safe place. Then Charlotte City Council allowed a oversaturation of apartments along Arrowood. Sharon Lakes became "Da Hood" overnight. 

South Charlotte was once considered South of Fairview and west to South Blvd and east to Monroe Road. Now it's East of Park Road and  West of Sardis. 

The wealthy are fleeing South Charlotte for Fort Mill, Weddington and Marvin.

Third PO's come in two sizes those who are a power trip and arrest mainly hot females and those who do just enough to fill out a timesheet and collect a pay check. Had the assigned PO done their job they would have saw that Rahman was locked up back in May.  Absolutely no excuse for not knowing the Rahman was out and about thieving. With probation having another year to run she should have been locked up and put away.

CMPD Baddies?

I seriously don't think posting a list of CMPD 'Baddies" is a bad idea, but on the other hand there will be someone who will have an issue.

Let's approach it this way. I'll post some "baddies" from other departments. If one of CMPD's "finest" wants to endure the comments and step up I'm happy to post.

In the meanwhile say hello to Cape Coral Florida SRO Officer Caroline Busch.

Yeah Yeah I hear you "there's no way she's real". Seriously have I ever lied to you before? 

Have you had enough yet or are you thirsty for more?

Still more?

Answers to your first three questions No, No and definitely No.

Oh and you're welcome.

SouthPark The Next NorthLake?

According to local news sources, the SouthPark Mall Nordstrom store was robbed for the second time in five days.

This of course in the not the first notable crime in SouthPark, but it highlights a troubling trend. SouthPark used to be the goto place for shopping and some pretty good dining options. No more. While it is still better than NorthLake it is not 2005.

The CMPD police report states the latest incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the high-end department store. An initial investigation said that security, described as “asset protection,” was alerted to a group of people concealing items.

While attempting to apprehend them, the group assaulted security, which resulted in minor injuries before the group fled the scene.

The case is being classified as a robbery and assault. There is no description of the subjects or surveillance video at this time. This remains an active investigation.

CMPD is seldom open about pending cases. Only after they have exhausted other avenues do they turn to the public and local news sources to generate leads. 

CMPD's efforts to combat crime and the perception of crime are getting a lot of air time lately. 

12 hour shifts are being demo'd across the city, steady blue lights on all CMPD vehicles are now standard, an accident response unit has been rolled out to handle Charlotte's ever increasing MVA 10-50s and CMPD has abandoned Crime Mapping for their own in house citizen access to crime stats CMPD CRIME Mapper. 

Effort to recruit officers is still a concern, with more than 2 dozen up for retirement in 2025.

The lack of new Officers puts the burden on current Officers. Days off are subject to change some Officers say the only way they can have a day off is to call in sick. 

CPs Take: Its sad when you have to fake the flu when it's your kids high school play off game. Being voluntold to work a Panther's game because David Tepper is a tight ass and won't pay secondary enough to make it worth the effort. 

Finally Cedar Posts and Meckburbia will not be offering a running post "Baddies of CMPD" apologies in advance. 

Wreaths Across America - Lincoln Maine (Updated)

Lincoln Maine has identified 950 local veteran graves they hope to honor this Saturday December 14, 2024.

Mrs. Cedar talked to Officer Becca Peters (Lincoln Police Department) this morning they now have 289 wreaths. Still a long way from 950.

Officer Peter's still needs some help if you can spare $17 and/or share the following link to sponsor a wreath.

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ME0101

Lincoln is typical small town USA. It is also the home of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon the medal of honor recipient portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. 

Gordon graduated from the same Lincoln Maine high school as Mrs. Cedar's mother Mattanawcook Academy. 

It would be awesome if they could raise enough money to place wreaths on each of the 950 area veteran graves this weekend.

The Lincoln PD goal of 950 wreaths is a pretty ambitious could you please help them out.

I've seen this before in Lincoln. The people who call the north woods home don't have a lot of spare capital. There's not a big corporate sponsor who will step in at the last minute. So I'll keep pushing this until they at least get to 950 or time runs out.

Charlotte Body Count

Charlotte has bodies hitting the floor at a pretty steady pace.

According to CMPD  detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducted a death investigation in the 300 block of E. Trade Street in the Central Division.

This location is of course the CATS "transit center" that hell hole covered bus station in Uptown.

From CMPD: 

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, shortly before 4:00 p.m., officers responded to an Assist MEDIC call for service in the 300 block of E. Trade Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unconscious male subject. Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred involving the subject, Strategic Security employees and other nearby civilians. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, MEDIC and CFD also responded to assist.

Big Trouble In Small Packages

I'm older and wiser now. But my ex was a 100 pounds of fire breathing trouble. A size zero who I adored and would have done anything for at one time. 

She once dumped a pitcher of beer on a Mac's Speed Shop waitress for smiling at me. Once threaten to slit a guy's throat for having Cobra emblems on a six cylinder single exhaust Mustang. Right there in the parking, was going to kill the guy over a fake ass mustang. Cops came and fortunately I know some people and promised to take her home. 

DWI, Intoxicated and disruptive, totaled my car and more. I bailed her out of jail more times than I can count and appreciate that Roy Wiggins was able to keep her out of prison. At some point we split she took the kid and I ended up sleeping with her mother and then feared for my own life. 

Thankfully she settled down married a nice guy who gave her eight more kids. It was a long time ago but I have the scars to prove it and it seems most of the physical wounds have healed. And I thank God every day for saving me from myself.

It is from this point of self reflection I present these two unrelated perps.

Jese Leigh Carella (Threadgill)

Jese Leigh Carella Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Jese Leigh Carella (aka Jese Leigh Threadgill) is probably someone to stay away from, and while your first inclination might be I can save her that would likely be a life ending choice.

Her most recent arrest includes 9 counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property (yep the entire magazine) 2 counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill, two counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon and Possession of Firearm by Felon from CMPD and a habitual felon warrant issued by Matthews PD.

Her most recent incarceration included 2 years and 9 months for trafficking, and weapons charges. 

As of December 18, 2024 she remained a guest of the McFadden Hilton housed in a comfortable dormitory awaiting another bond hearing this week. But apparently if you have $20,000.00 you can post her bail as an early Christmas gift and take your chances.

Madisyn Amanda Belk

Madisyn Amanda Belk Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Her most recent arrest includes 1 count of Simple Assault with a warrant issued by Mint Hill PD.

Mint HIll Police Affidavit:

Sgt. Freeman responded to 11001 Blair Road reference to a domestic dispute in which the aggressor, Madisyn Belk, was intoxicated an had assaulted her father, Michael Belk. 

Upon arrival Sgt. Freeman observed Madisyn sitting inside a blue pick up parked in the driveway and Michael was standing on the side porch. Sgt. Freeman approached Michael while Lt. Smith stood by with Madisyn. Michael had multiple small lacerations to his hands and arms as well as laceration on his bottom lip. Michael advised that Madisyn attacked him as soon as he got home with no warning. The altercation was captured on home security camera which Sgt. Freeman reviewed with Michael. 

Madisyn was placed under arrest for simple assault.

Apparently Ms Belk was drunk and got into an argument with her father and scratched his lip and arm. 

The responding Mint Hill Sargent felt it necessary to arrest Ms. Belk and take her uptown.

Her long list of priors include nothing notable except a mixture of traffic offenses and under age drinking. I'm not kidding. She's no saint but arresting her for a scratch on her dad's arm just looks bad.

The charges against Ms. Belk were dismissed on March 17, 2025.

Cedar's Take: If you're going to be a hero at least be selective. 

Wreaths Across America - Lincoln Maine (Updated)

Mrs. Cedar's hometown of Lincoln Maine has identified 950 local veteran graves they hope to honor next Saturday December 14, 2024.

Sadly, as of this morning they have sponsors for only 38. (Now 56 still a long way from 950)

The Lincoln Police Department needs a little help if you can spare $17 or share the following link to sponsor one wreath.

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ME0101

Lincoln is typical small town USA. It is also the home of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon the medal of honor recipient portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. 

Gordon graduated from the same Lincoln Maine high school as Mrs Cedar's mother Mattanawcook Academy Class of 1978. 

It would be awesome if they could raise enough money to place wreaths on each area veteran's grave this Christmas.

The Lincoln PD goal of 950 wreaths is a pretty ambitious let's help them out.

Cedar's Take - You will notice that Meckburbia by Cedar Posts is without pop-ups and crazy clickbait. It's not a revenue source for me however its kinda hard to watch a small town police department struggle to get a community project of the ground. 

I've seen this before in Lincoln. The people who call the north woods home don't have a lot of spare capital. There's not a big corporate sponsor who will step in at the last minute. So I'll keep pushing this until they at least get to 100 or time runs out.