Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have identified a suspect in the theft of multiple car parts at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, bringing into sharp focus a crime spree that affected the area from August 18 to August 20. Officers responding to reports on Old Dowd Road and Josh Birmingham Parkway discovered three BMW sedans missing wheels and tires on their driver’s sides, a troubling scene for both travelers and airport staff.

The suspect's series of alleged criminal acts came to a dramatic end on August 22 when North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers attempted to pull over a vehicle for speeding and a seatbelt violation. The driver, however, failed to stop and drove erratically before crashing into a tree. Alexander Komthongpane, the driver, was pronounced dead at the scene, as reported by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Evidence pieced together by officers and airport division detectives presented a narrative that placed Komthongpane at the center of the auto part heists, with BMW wheels found on his vehicle directly connecting him to the crimes at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Komthongpane wasn't a stranger to the authorities, having been linked to several other cases involving catalytic converter thefts and vehicle larceny across Charlotte.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has offered additional information on this case, referencing case reports 20240818-1654-00, 20240819-1503-04, and 20240820-1744-02.