DPD obtains warrants in Christian Aid Society Cemetery incident (press release)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – On March 8, 2018, the Davidson Police and Davidson College Campus Police Departments investigated damage to multiple headstones and markers in the Christian Aid Society cemetery located on Ridge Road. A white Chevrolet Impala passenger vehicle was discovered nearby on the Davidson College campus showing signs of damage to the vehicle and oil pan. There was no occupant with the vehicle when it was found, and the vehicle had a temporary 30-day tag.

Based on evidence obtained at the scene, inside the vehicle, and via multiple interviews, the Davidson Police Department identified a suspect: Adam Christopher Lucas, a 21-year-old African-American male of Charlotte. Davidson Detective J. Stokes presented the investigation to a Mecklenburg County Magistrate who issued four warrants related to the case. The charges are:

• Flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle
• Failure to report an accident
• No valid insurance 
• Failure to register with DMV

The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

Details:

Davidson Police Officer Ramiro Better observed Mr. Lucas traveling 50 mph in a 25 mph zone on Griffith Street at approximately 11:30 p.m. on March 7. When Officer Better turned his patrol car around and pursued the vehicle being driven by Mr. Lucas, the suspect sped off and turned on Beaty Street. Officer Better lost sight of the vehicle and discontinued the pursuit.

Mr. Lucas drove down Ridge Road, then proceeded off-road through the cemetery, and abandoned his damaged vehicle near a line of trees by the mechanical shops on Davidson College’s campus. A Davidson College Campus Police officer found the vehicle at approximately 2:30 a.m. on March 8 and had the vehicle towed. Davidson College Campus Police discovered damage to the cemetery around 4:30 a.m. the same morning.

“This investigation took some time to work through to ensure accuracy in not only identifying ownership of the vehicle but also putting the driver in the vehicle at the time of the incident,” said Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn. “The integrity of an investigation will never be sacrificed for speed. We want a case to be solid for our state prosecutors to take without hesitation and be successful in the courtroom.”

The Davidson Police Department appreciates the assistance of the Davidson College Campus, Matthews, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments.

Please Consider Assisting Christian Aid Society

The Christian Aid Society cemetery sustained damage during this incident, including the destruction of several headstones. If you would like to provide assistance in the form of volunteer hours or monetary contribution, please call Erving McClain, the president of the board of the Christian Aid Society, at 704-896-7729.

“The Christian Aid Society and the community as a whole are relieved about the progress made by the Davidson Police Department,” said Erving McClain. “Hopefully the action they have taken will help solve the problem completely and this situation at the cemetery will be resolved in a timely manner.”