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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Trezman Funderburk is a name too many people know for the wrong reasons. He’s 23 years old; he started getting into trouble when he was 14 for fighting at school. Β Then stealing at school. Β When he was 15, he started stealing cars. Β He celebrated his 16th year by adding assault to his growing list of crimes. Β Funderburk’s offenses continued on to include drugs.
In 2011, he broke into a south Charlotte apartment and held the 28-year-old woman who lived there at gun point, stole her stuff, punched her in the face repeatedly and then stole her car. Β This past Saturday, police say the five-foot-tall Funderburk carjacked two people at gun point in NoDa. Β
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“I was waiting for it, because I knew he was out,” was the reaction from one of Funderburk’s past victims.
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He went to prison in 2012. He got out this past March. That 21-month period was the longest stretch Funderburk has gone since he was 14 without committing crimes. Β Two of his victims–one who suffered permanent damage from Funderburk’s punches to their face–blame the revolving door of the justice system for why this menace is still on the streets. Β They say, “I want him to stay, just put away. I don’t think he should be out on the streets.”
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Another one of Funderburk’s victims tells WCCB their entire building is fed up with Funderburk. They say, “Every single person in this building is a licensed gun holder.” WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty asked, “And they all know what he looks like?” Β They replied, “Every single person is in this apartment complex knows exactly what he looks like.”Β
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WCCB asked the District Attorney’s office to talk to with us about Funderburk and his habitual felon status. Β A spokeswoman replied in part, “Because this defendant has pending charges, our office is prohibited by ethical obligations from speaking about him or the case.”Β
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Funderburk is in jail for Saturday’s carjacking. Β He has a bond hearing next week. Court paperwork indicates it’s a foregone conclusion he will get out: the state has already requested he be fitted with an electronic monitor and put on curfew when he does. Β His victims say neither will stop him.
