Mega Church Pastor Stabbed, Car Stolen

CHARLOTTE, NC — A worship leader at a popular church in Ballantyne is out of the hospital Thursday, recovering from a violent home invasion.

CMPD say the suspect stabbed him and stole his car.

Matt Bentley just walked into his Barringer Dr. home Wednesday afternoon when he says he came face to face with a robber.

Police say it was Corey Edgerton, and he had a knife.

“It’s a fearful place to be in, and to hear about it being with one of your coworkers and your friends, it’s really scary,” said Stacey Martin.

Martin got the call her coworker, Bentley, had been stabbed four times in the stomach and the arm.

Police say when the suspect saw Bentley come home, he demanded his wallet, phone and keys, stabbed him repeatedly, left bentley bleeding and drove off in his black Nissan Altima.

“It was a scary time,” said Martin. “It happen fast. There wasn’t a lot of self defence at that point in time. He just dealt with it the best he could.”

People who live Barringer Dr. tell WCCB Charlotte nearly every home in the 2500 block has been the target of a break in.  CMPD police records show there have been eight incidents so far this year. Those include burglaries, robberies ,assaults and a theft.

Neighbors worry the criminals are getting more dangerous.

“If you’re gonna do something, usually you do something at night,” said Eddie Hayes. “But now, they don’t really care what they do or what time it is.”

Police caught Edgerton two miles from Bentley’s home.
Neighbors knew his face.

Bentley wrote to his church and friends on social media saying:

“I feel incredibly lucky, and blessed by all of the friends and family who are coming around me during this difficult time.”

“He is in great spirits,” said Martin. “He is thankful that the injuries aren’t any worse than they were. So, he’s resting and recovering.”

The license plate number of the Nissan Altima is DKR3928. If you see it, call police