Charlotte's burglar on the roof
Charlotte's burglar on the roof
Plus: Reviewing the big music festival; 'Swan Lake' shines at Charlotte Ballet; Dilworth Neighborhood Grille takes new dig at Tepper; Raise for Atrium CEO; Greensboro is happy being Greensboro
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A film is in the works recounting the odd 2004 tale of ‘Roofman,’ a fast-food robber whose Charlotte hideout was an abandoned Circuit City on Independence
The Circuit City and Toys “R” Us on East Independence Boulevard that played prominent roles in the 2004 “Roofman” caper are today a Carpet Discount Warehouse and Vizion Church. The tale of Jeffrey Manchester (upper right) is headed to Hollywood. (Ledger photo of shopping center; Manchester photo courtesy of N.C. Department of Adult Correction)
by Mark Washburn
One of Charlotte’s oddest criminals — a gentleman bandit and retail squatter — is going from a small cell to the big screen.
Army paratrooper Jeffrey Manchester earned the nickname “Roofman” for his Santa-style robberies of McDonald’s restaurants. He’d chop holes in the roof, then swoop down to empty the registers before herding employees into the walk-in freezers while he fled.
But such a gentleman: He would tell them to put on their jackets, always “please” and “thank you.” Then he’d call the cops to tell them to free the workers.
Now, film producers 51 Entertainment, Hunting Lane Films and Limelight have announced Manchester’s criminal capers are in development as a motion picture starring Channing Tatum (“Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” “Logan Lucky” — another local crime flick, set at Charlotte Motor Speedway). Derek Cianfrance (“I Know This Much Is True,” “The Light Between Oceans”) has signed on as director.
Manchester, a Sacramento native, joined the 82nd Airborne Division in the 1990s at Fort Bragg. While posted in the San Francisco area, he robbed more than 40 fast-food restaurants by popping out of the ceiling, surprising workers at opening and closing times.
In May 2000, while in North Carolina for a training exercise, he took a night off and dropped from the ceiling of a McDonald’s in Gastonia at closing time. He repeated the stunt in Belmont the next morning.
Belmont is a small town; cops got there fast. They noticed a car parked in an empty church lot nearby. They poked around and found Manchester cowering in the weeds.
Ever courteous, he complimented arresting officers: “You guys did a real good job today.”
Though no one was hurt, charges filed against him in Gaston County included kidnapping, because he corralled workers. He got 45 years.
He was sent to Brown Creek Correctional Institution, a well-gated community of 1,200 just off U.S. 74 near Polkton. There, in 2004 at age 32, he made history by clinging to the chassis of a delivery truck leaving the prison’s industrial compound. It was the first-ever escape from Brown Creek, opened in 1993.
He went west 45 miles to Charlotte and burrowed into the most convenient of lairs: the hidden spaces above the vacant Circuit City store at 6100 E. Independence Blvd., a retail Sahara zone of businesses strangled by highway reconstruction.
Best of all was its playful neighbor, a still-functioning Toys “R” Us. He built a secret trapdoor between the big boxes. At night, he could snack on baby food, ride bikes through the vacant aisles for exercise or race remote-controlled cars.
On Dec. 26, 2004, when cash was at high tide from the holidays, Manchester walked into the Toys “R” Us — front door this time — and stuck it up with a gun. Politely, of course.
Once again, police quickly arrived. Manchester was gone, but a police dog led them upstairs. Above ceiling tiles, investigators discovered more than $5,000 in store goodies Manchester had squirreled away.
Within the week, Charlotte police officer Fred Allen checked the vacant Circuit City. He found the camouflaged trapdoor. That led to finding the squatter’s nest, made cozy with Spider Man bedding, compliments of Toys “R” Us.
And a fingerprint — that of escapee Jeffrey Manchester.
Charlotte media, delighted with a good mystery during the holiday news doldrums, distributed his picture widely.
Parishioners at Crossroads Presbyterian on Monroe Road recognized him as “John,” a new church-goer who attended Wednesday Bible study and was romancing one of the women of the church.
“Funny, romantic, the most sensitive man I’ve ever met,” she told The Charlotte Observer’s Tommy Tomlinson in 2005. “Guy that every girl would want.”
When he next called, she invited him right over. He brought flowers. She brought cops.
Manchester is now 52. He’s made two escape attempts since his Toys “R” Us adventure, says the N.C. Department Of Adult Correction, his last in 2017. Since then, he’s been residing in an even more exclusive gated community, Raleigh’s Central Prison, pop. 1,100, maximum security.
Projected release date for the movie “Roofman” is unknown as yet. But for Manchester, it’s known to the day: Dec. 4, 2036.
Mark Washburn is a retired Charlotte Observer writer living in Davidson. Reach him at mwashburn76@gmail.com.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Landon A. Dunn, attorney-at-law in Matthews:
Review: Charlotte’s first-ever Lovin’ Life Music Fest wasn’t free of hiccups or rain, but it delivered intoxicating energy and great vibes
As the clouds parted over uptown, the Beach Boys played for thousands on Sunday, the final day of the largely successful Lovin’ Life Music Fest. (Photo courtesy of Lovin’ Life Music Fest)
The massive and first-ever Lovin’ Life Music Fest is in the books, wrapping up late last night.
And it seems destined to return next year: After the last performance Sunday night, a save-the-date was displayed on the main stage, as well as in an email to all festival-goers, for May 2-4, 2025. “Stay tuned for more details,” the email said.
The Ledger’s Lindsey Banks was among the thousands of people who poured into uptown for three straight days to take in performances by some of music’s big names and to catalogue the action.
🎥 You can check out Lindsey’s short video recaps of Day 1 and Day 2.
In a review of the huge festival that she finished in the wee hours of this morning, Lindsey writes that the festival wasn’t free of hiccups or rain, but that it succeeded in delivering big-name artists and great vibes. She says:
I’ve never quite felt music in my throat before until Lovin’ Life. (The bass from the speakers was literally vibrating through my entire body.) When artists were performing, the energy was intoxicating, and the adrenaline rush made life worth lovin’.
But in between sets, trying to find a spot to stand awaiting a performance was chaotic and stressful, especially when having to stand for 2+ hours to claim a good spot. People were shoving and not afraid to step on you. That’s just the nature of music festivals, though.
Overall, it was a memorable weekend.
She also runs through what the scene was; what people were eating, drinking and wearing; and offers suggestions from attendees to improve next year.
➡️ Read Lindsey’s full Lovin’ Life review here.
Related Ledger articles:
“What it takes to launch a major music festival” (April 10)
🎧 Podcast: “Behind the Lovin’ Life Music Fest” (April 5)
🎭 Toppman review: Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ is a first-class and tender interpretation of a classic
Ledger arts critic Lawrence Toppman took in a Saturday night performance of Charlotte Ballet’s “Swan Lake” — and writes that it was “the most accomplished evening of dance in my 34 years of watching Charlotte Ballet and its predecessor, N.C. Dance Theatre.”
Toppman continued:
In this production, where all the roles have been triple-cast, I watched [Angelica] Generosa and [Daniil] Simkin deliver performances of subtlety, insight, assurance and an elevated level of technical skill.
I have seen at least half a dozen “Swan Lakes”: one at American Ballet Theatre, the Bolshoi Ballet version on tour, George Balanchine’s condensation for New York City Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s heartbreaking all-male interpretation and multiple DVDs. Charlotte Ballet’s is the tenderest of all, unflinching in its tragic finale (which is different than you may expect) but also gentle and contemplative.
➡️ Read Toppman’s complete review of “Swan Lake” here.
The production, with live music by the Charlotte Symphony, runs through May 12 at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. More details and tickets.
Join Lawrence Toppman at the Independent Picture House
The Charlotte Ledger, the Independent Picture House and CXN Advisory are teaming up on a five-part movie series, called “The Critic’s Eye,” with five modern classic movies on the big screen followed by a discussion with critic Lawrence Toppman. The first movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), will be shown May 14. Details and tickets.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille keeps poking the bear
A sign outside Dilworth Neighborhood Grille this weekend continued the restaurant’s practice of needling Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper. Last month, Tepper entered the restaurant hours before the NFL draft to discuss a sign that read “Please let the coach & GM pick this year.” Surveillance video showed him removing an employee’s hat from his head.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
THURSDAY: SouthPark After 5, 5-9 p.m., Symphony Park. Experience live music, food trucks, and craft drinks at SouthPark After 5 at Symphony Park. On May 9, expect a ticketed Wells Fargo Golf Championship concert with live music from The Breakfast Club and Yacht Rock Schooner. Tickets starting at $25.
MAY 16: The Great 28 Celebration, 6-9 p.m. The Terrace at Cedar Hill. Each year QCity Metro honors 28 Black Charlotteans who are shaping our city into a better place. And on May 16th we are celebrating! This is no gala — attendees will enjoy lots of food, drinks, mingling, photo ops & live entertainment. $70.
NOW THROUGH MAY 31: 53 Ideas Pitch Competition Open Call, virtual. Calling all entrepreneurs and business owners in the Charlotte region! The 53 Ideas Pitch Competition is back with an open call for ideas. Submit your business idea as a 53-second pitch online for a chance to win $10,000. Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. The open call for ideas runs from May 5 - May 31, 2024. There is no cost to submit.
◼️ Check out the full Ledger events board.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
Quotable: Being the best Greensboro it can be
From Thursday’s New York Times, reporting on the influx of high-skilled manufacturing jobs in the Triad area, in an article headlined “Can a ‘Not Charlotte’ Recipe Revive a Region?”:
Some residents and local leaders who welcome the new industries worry about maintaining the area’s character, lest it become like the rapidly growing — and expensive — sprawls elsewhere in the South.
“We don’t want to be Charlotte,” said Marvin Price, executive vice president of economic development at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, referring to the banking center 100 miles down Interstate 85. “We want to be the best version of Greensboro.”
🇺🇸 Early voting continues: Early voting for the May 14 Republican runoff election continues this week, through Saturday. The Ledger’s Election Hub has voting details and candidate info. Voting is open to Republicans and to unaffiliated voters who either didn’t vote in the March primary or cast a Republican ballot. Go to Election Hub.
In brief:
UNC Charlotte removes protestors’ banners: UNC Charlotte police on Sunday removed two banners hung by pro-Palestinian protestors on a campus building near a protestor encampment. One protestor called the removal an “escalation,” but the university said hanging buildings on university buildings violates policies. Later in the day, protestors confronted a man holding an Israeli flag. (Niner Times)
Arboretum fire: Firefighters battled a fire at the Arboretum shopping center in south Charlotte early Monday. It appeared to start at Tacos 4 Life but also spread to neighboring businesses. (WBTV)
Memorial service this morning: The memorial service for Tommy Weeks, the U.S. marshal killed in last week’s east Charlotte shootout, will be this morning at 10:30 a.m. at Bojangles Coliseum. Attorney Gen. Merrick Garland is expected to speak. The service will be live-streamed at www.justice.gov/live.
Raise for Atrium CEO: Atrium Health said CEO Gene Woods earned $17.4M in total compensation in 2023, up from nearly $14M in 2022. The 2023 figure included $3.8M in salary, a $4.3M bonus and $7.2M in plan-based incentive compensation. Atrium said in a statement: “Health care administration requires strong, business-savvy leaders who can manage our industry’s complexities and challenges while transforming care delivery — and retaining top talent requires a competitive compensation package.”
Deck collapse injures 9: A deck collapsed Saturday afternoon in west Charlotte, near the Catawba River, injuring nine people, including one with life-threatening injuries. (WSOC)
City budget incoming: Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones is expected to present his 2024-25 budget to the City Council tonight.
Work starts on training center: Charlotte Pipe & Foundry is building a new 28,000 s.f. training center in Myers Park on the site of the former Mecklenburg Furniture building on Providence Road, a spokesman told Business North Carolina. It is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. Plans to move the training center to the site were first reported by The Charlotte Ledger in October 2022.
Alert—Mother’s Day approaching: Charlotte on the Cheap has a list of ideas for things to do on Mother’s Day, which is this coming Sunday (May 12).
Taking stock
Unless you are a day trader, checking your stocks daily is unhealthy. So how about weekly? How local stocks of note fared last week (through Friday’s close), and year to date:
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative