Burglars with U-Haul pistol-whip man, steal his BMW and lead police on highway chase

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police says a man hoping to visit his friend in Matthews was pistol-whipped Wednesday night when he stumbled upon three men ransacking his buddy’s house.

A police report from CMPD says the incident happened at 11:20 p.m. in the 7400 block of Leahurst Court, off McKee Road.

The man told police officers he arrived at his friend’s house and noticed a U-Haul rental truck in the driveway, according to the incident report. When he went inside, the report states he found three men burglarizing the home. His friend was not there.

One of the burglary suspects hit the man with a gun, he told police. Then, two of the suspects stole his car - a 2011 BMW. The third suspect fled in the U-Haul, police say.

A police officer spotted the stolen BMW later on Interstate 485. The CMPD officer tried to pull the car over but the driver fled, leading the officer on a chase.

The BMW crashed on Blair Road, where both suspects fled on foot, police say.

A police K-9 unit caught one of the men. The second man was last believed to be near Rocky River High School, according to CMPD.

Several hours later, police found the U-Haul truck. The driver was arrested at a gas station on Independence Boulevard, CMPD says.

Police charged Daniel Swaringen, 24, and Delvacchio Mills, 35, with breaking/entering, conspiracy to commit breaking/entering, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny after breaking/entering, four counts of larceny of a firearm.

Swaringen was also charged with four counts of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of stolen goods, larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Mills was also charged with speeding to elude, careless/reckless driving, hit and run and driving with no operator’s license.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published November 22, 2018 at 11:58 AM.