Mercedes repo job escalates to pepper spray | Weird

A routine automobile repossession of a Mercedes escalated into a dangerous conflict on Wednesday, with mace being sprayed at one point and a the repo men using tracking devices to chase down the car.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, two employees of J & D Towing and Recovery, Andrew Scott Jordan and William Michael Dudley, went to 558 Fairwood Avenue around 9 p.m. to repossess a 2004 Mercedes CLK 500 from the owner, Samuel Tyson Coleman.

Jordan and Dudley said that Coleman informed them that he had worked out a deal for a purchase with Mr. Durham, the owner of Durham's Auto Dealership, and that repossession was unnecessary.

Coleman then got into the Mercedes and Jordan walked around to the front to block the driver in.  According to Jordan, Coleman put the car in drive and hit him in the knees with the vehicle, then backed up, jumped the curb, and drove away.

The employees told police they got back in their own vehicle and followed the Mercedes on the interstate until they lost sight of Coleman.  Using a tracking device located on the car, Mr. Durham's dealership was able to advise Jordan and Dudley on the car's new location, 500 Bowman Road.

When the employees arrived at the scene, they saw an unknown man sitting in the Mercedes.  Shortly after, Coleman arrived in a Jaguar, then switched vehicles with the unknown man occupying the Mercedes.

Jordan and Dudley then approached the front of the vehicle and told Coleman to get out.  Jordan told police that once again Coleman put the Mercedes in drive, this time hitting both employees in the knees.

Jordan told police that Coleman then exited the vehicle and proceeded to bump Dudley in the chest, insinuating a desire to fight.  Dudley then pulled out a can of mace and sprayed Coleman.

Jordan told police that Coleman walked away from the area after being sprayed, leaving the keys to the Mercedes in the car.  The employees then got into the vehicle and drove it to 3325 South Tryon Street, where they were able to speak to police.

When police picked up Coleman, he denied that he ever drove his car towards the men trying to repossess his vehicle.  

His recollection of what happened at the Bowman Road location was different as well.  He claimed that he was still sitting inside the car when he was maced.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said no conclusive evidence was sufficient to file charges against Jordan, Dudley, or Coleman.  This investigation is closed. 

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