MOORESVILLE, NC – On July 21, 2025, Mooresville Police Department officers received an automated license plate reader notification for a stolen motor vehicle. They located the stolen vehicle, and a traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle fled south on Williamson Rd to I-77 and Mooresville Police Officers pursued. Officers utilized tire deflation devices to successfully deflate both passenger side tires on I-77 near Exit 31.
The vehicle exited the interstate at Exit 30 and came to rest at an apartment complex just west of the exit in Davidson. Four suspects fled the vehicle on foot, but two were apprehended almost immediately. Several local agencies, including NC State Highway Patrol, Cornelius Police Department Marine 1 lake patrol boat, Davidson Police Department, as well as Mooresville Fire-Rescue assisted with the perimeter and search. A Mooresville Police Department K-9 track was conducted, which led to the apprehension of the third suspect. Cornelius Police Department Marine 1 located the fourth and final suspect near the waterfront of Lake Norman.
Three of the four suspects are juveniles. One of the juveniles (the driver) was taken to a juvenile detention center for the traffic related charges. The other two juveniles were released to their families. Juvenile petitions are being sought for all three juveniles for related charges. The one adult suspect, Davon Santario McKnight Jr., 18, of Charlotte, NC, was arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Conspiracy, Felony Possession Schedule VI, PWIMSD Schedule VI, Contributing to Delinquency of juvenile, Resisting Public Officer, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McKnight was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center where he received a $15,000 secure bond.
