A teenager in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a staggering record of 111 arrests over the past two years, has been released once more, highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with repeat offenders.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) revealed the latest crime statistics for the area. The department announced a significant 20% drop in violent crime, covering incidents such as homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults, which include shootings.

Despite these positive figures, there is growing concern over the prevalence of repeat offenders, particularly among the youth. A notable case involves an unidentified 15-year-old who has been arrested 111 times since August 2023.

During the news conference, Sgt. Todd Martin addressed the challenge posed by repeat offenders, specifically mentioning this young individual, whose criminal activities include numerous property crimes throughout the Queen City. The teen has been implicated in approximately 50 cases, involving at least 55 stolen vehicles and 45 break-ins.

The 15-year-old’s record spans dozens of property crimes across the Queen City, including vehicle thefts, larcenies from cars and possession of stolen property. CMPD said the teen has been linked to about 50 separate cases involving at least 55 stolen vehicles and 45 break-ins.

“We continue to see a troubling pattern: a disproportionate number of violent incidents and property crimes are being committed by individuals with extensive criminal histories – many of whom continue to cycle through the justice system without facing meaningful consequences,” said Sgt. Todd Martin of the Southeast Service Area Crime Reduction Unit. 

“The cycle of catch and release does not reduce crime in our community,” he said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) said that a 15-year-old had been arrested 111 times since August 2023. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department)

Martin revealed the repeat offender’s disturbing search history.

“The following were Google searches found on the juvenile’s cellphone: What is the charge for killing an officer? Is police murder a charge? What is capital murder?” Martin said at Wednesday’s news conference. 

“These are the things a 15-year-old in possession of multiple firearms was searching for,” he added. “Despite the juvenile’s delinquency history and repeat offender status, the juvenile was released back into the community in September.”

Iryna Zarutska curls up in fear as a man looms over her during a disturbing attack on a Charlotte, N.C., light rail train. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)

The 15-year-old repeat offender in Charlotte comes as the city has grappled with the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was commuting home from her job at a pizzeria when she was allegedly stabbed to death by a repeat offender.

According to a police affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, CMPD responded to an emergency call from the Lynx Blue Line near 1821 Camden Road on Aug. 22. Witnesses reported that a man had stabbed a woman in the throat inside a train car. 

Booking photo of Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., taken Aug. 28, 2025, days after the fatal light-rail stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.  (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office)

Officers arrived to find 34-year-old Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. on the outbound platform, wearing clothing that matched the suspect’s description, court documents revealed. Authorities said he had a cut on his right hand and was taken into custody after receiving medical attention. Officers recovered a folding knife near the outbound light rail platform, the affidavit said.

Brown has a criminal history spanning over a decade, including felony breaking and entering and robbery with a dangerous weapon, for which he served a five-year prison sentence, according to court records.