POLICE LOOKING FOR SUSPECT
Rasheen Elmore wanted in purse snatching, chase

Rasheen Elmore's mugshot from 2007. His cohort in crime, Jeremy Richard, was arrested Saturday morning at Business Highway 321. Photos Contributed/TCS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Authorities are asking for the public's assistance in finding Rasheen Elmore, the suspect in a Friday night purse snatching and early Saturday morning chase.

Detective Chuck McGinley said Elmore snatched a purse from the arm of a woman at the Subway on North Generals Boulevard around 10:30 p.m. Friday, then got into a vehicle driven by Jeremy Richard of Maiden.

Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Richard and Elmore led police on a chase up Highway 321 to Business Highway 321. Elmore was last seen by authorities running behind the North 321 Volunteer FIre Department.

Richard, meantime, was apprehended at the scene. His arrest information was released Wednesday by authorities.

Richard, 19, of 4000 Sun Dial Lane, was charged with felony robbery; felony possession of stolen property; speeding to elude arrest; and extortion. He was also charged with misdemeanor assault.

Bond for Jeremy Richard was set at $47,000 secured. His first appearance hearing was this week in Lincolnton District Court.

A witness saw Elmore get into Richard's Hyundai Elantra in the Wal-Mart parking lot after the purse snatching.

Investigators say Richard and Elmore called the victim's family between Friday night and Saturday morning, attempting to get around $1,000.

According to a Lincolnton Police Department report, one of the suspects threatened to burn the victim's house down if they didn't get the money.

The chase happened after police -- working with the family -- arranged to meet the suspects at the Food Lion in Boger City. The suspects actually showed up at the Raceway on East Main Street and fled when they saw authorities approach.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lincolnton Police at (704) 736-8900 or Crimestoppers of Lincolnton/Lincoln County at (704) 736-8909. A reward of up to $1,000 may be paid for an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest in any crime.