Wadesboro: DNA Link Solves Violent 2024 Armed Home Invasion

A major breakthrough in a cold case has brought a suspect to justice for a terrifying home invasion that occurred nearly a year and a half ago. Thanks to critical DNA evidence, a 37-year-old Charlotte man, Aaron Deunte Ratliff, has been arrested in connection with the brutal December 2024 robbery in the Wadesboro area of Anson County, North Carolina.

A Night of Terror

The original incident took place on the evening of December 21, 2024. Around 9:30 p.m., Anson County Sheriff's deputies responded to a distress call at a residence on 1655 Bethel Road. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement was met with a horrific sight: multiple victims had been restrained using plastic zip ties.

The violence inflicted on the victims was severe. Deputies discovered that one female victim had suffered a gunshot wound to her leg, while two other victims had been viciously assaulted with a handgun. All three injured individuals were transported to the Atrium Health Anson Emergency Department for immediate medical treatment.

DNA Evidence Cracks the Case

At the time of the crime, investigators meticulously collected evidence from the scene and submitted it to the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. The crucial turning point came when a person of interest was identified through this DNA evidence.

Ratliff had recently been taken into custody for unrelated misdemeanor charges in Charlotte. During this time, a warrant was executed to obtain his DNA. The State Crime Laboratory officially confirmed that Ratliff's DNA was a match to the evidence found at the Wadesboro crime scene. He was subsequently arrested without incident.

Ratliff is now facing a litany of severe charges, including first-degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and five counts of first-degree kidnapping.