Men broke into 24 cars of fans watching Carolina Panthers playoff game

Some Carolina Panthers fans lost twice Saturday: when they watched the Los Angeles Rams win the playoff game and when they left Bank of America Stadium to find their car window smashed.

A witness on a rooftop called 911 at 6:40 p.m. and said they were watching two men use a chain to break into vehicles in a lot on Westmere Avenue. The caller said there were at least two people plus a third person driving an SUV, according to a police affidavit.

Police located the SUV the men were in on Trade Street a few minutes later, the affidavit said. A police helicopter followed until the three men got out at Statesville Avenue and Atando Avenue. Two of three of the men were found hiding in a nearby construction site in the 3400 block of Northerly Road, the affidavit said.

There weren’t any stolen items inside the vehicle, the affidavit said.

Officers looked in the area for items that may have been thrown out of the vehicle. Transit security told officers they saw three to five guns near Trade Street and Cedar Street, but did not secure them, the affidavit said. A group of teenagers picked up the guns and ran.

After speaking with victims, police determined nine vehicles had items stolen. The culprits stole four firearms, money, clothes and electronics, a game console, tablet, and power tools, court records said. One firearm has been recovered.

Two men charged were being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail.

This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 2:53 PM.