The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following, according to interim Chief Bobby Martin:
Sunday shortly before 4:30 a.m., Sergeant M. Moseley was on patrol in the area of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and Georgia Avenue.
He noticed a vehicle passing another vehicle in the center turning lane and traveling at a rate faster than the posted speed.
Moseley turned around to follow. He activated his lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver stopped in the area of East Chaloner Drive.
A passenger fled. Moseley stayed with the driver while Officer C. Batchelor went after the person who fled.
Batchelor apprehend the person who fled. He was identified as Christopher Lewis, 33, of Roanoke Rapids.
As the investigation continued, Moseley found a gun which was thrown from the vehicle. Inside the vehicle marijuana, paraphernalia and open liquor bottles were found.
Investigation also revealed the driver — Damien Hale, 29, of Roanoke Rapids — was potentially trying to race with the vehicle he passed in the center lane.
Hale was charged with DWI, possession of schedule VI, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and spontaneous speed competition.
Hale was carried before a magistrate and received a $1,000 bond and July 22 court date.
Lewis was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, resist delay and obstruct, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He received a $15,000 bond and July 3 court date.
“This was an outstanding job by the officers to apprehend the subject that ran and also secure a weapon that was just thrown out for anyone to find,” Martin said in a statement.
Today shortly after 1 a.m., Officer J. Wind responded to I-95 Sweepstakes along with Moseley on a fight call.
Moseley arrived prior to Wind and got the scene under control.
One side of the argument was released. A second person involved became uncooperative with the officers and refused to give his name.
Several rounds of ammunition were located in his pocket. The officers checked further and located a handgun in his vehicle under the passenger seat.
The gun was checked and it came back stolen.
Tony Whitaker, 28, of Enfield, was placed under arrest .
He faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.
He received a $25,000 bond and July 3 court date. “This was great work by the officers responding to this call,” Martin said. “It could have ended very differently had they not discovered the weapon.
