The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported the following, according to Major Anzell Harris:

DWI and high-speed chase 

A Roanoke Rapids man reportedly tested at nearly three times the state’s legal limit for blood alcohol after he was apprehended in the aftermath of a chase early Sunday morning.

Community Action Team Sergeant G. Martin was patrolling the area of West Tenth Street near Colonial Drive in Roanoke Rapids shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver was later identified as 33-year-old Tre’quan Richardson.

Martin caught up to the vehicle in the area of Thelma Road near Wood Store Road and, using radar, clocked the vehicle's speed at 76 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. Martin activated his emergency lights and siren, but Richardson refused to stop, continuing at speeds around 80 mph and traveling into oncoming lanes.

The chase continued for four to five miles as Martin notified responding deputies that the driver might be impaired. After braking hard and attempting to turn into a driveway at 60 mph, Richardson failed to maintain control and the vehicle collided with a ditch. After being given multiple commands to exit the vehicle, Richardson complied and surrendered to law enforcement.

Trooper P.A. Strickland of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol conducted the crash and DWI investigation. 

Richardson, according to Harris, registered a blood alcohol content of .23.

In addition to the charges associated with the crash, Martin charged Richardson with fleeing to elude with a motor vehicle, failure to heed light or siren, speeding, driving while license revoked, and driving left of center. 

Richardson was no longer listed as an inmate at the Halifax County Detention Center as of this morning, and no further documents could immediately be located on eCourts. He has a February 26 district court date.

Stolen gun and marijuana 

On Saturday around 8:30 p.m., Martin arrived at a South Weldon business following a dispute call. While the accused party had already left the business, Martin observed a man, later identified as George Taylor, carrying a fanny pack across his chest that appeared to have the indentation of a firearm.

While speaking with Taylor, 47, of Weldon, Martin detected the odor of marijuana. Taylor reportedly admitted to smoking before entering the business. 

Martin conducted a search of Taylor and located a multi-colored Hi-Point handgun along with 14 grams of marijuana and a digital scale containing marijuana residue.

The firearm had been reported stolen in 2020 by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. 

Taylor faces charges of felony possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, simple possession of Schedule VI, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. 

He has a February 26 district court date.