The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following, according to Chief Bobby Martin:

Saturday shortly after 8:15 p.m., Master Officer Matt Hunsucker was patrolling in the area of Smith Church Road and Southgate Drive when he noticed a vehicle with one headlight approaching him. 

Hunsucker conducted a traffic stop to investigate.

Hunsucker reportedly smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. 

Officer D. Newsome assisted and Hunsucker used his dog Dubai to check the outside of the vehicle for narcotics. Dubai gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics and a search resulted in the seizure of a Mason jar with money and marijuana packaged individually.

Darius Tabron, 21, from the Roanoke Rapids area, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possess schedule VI, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and driving without two headlamps.

He received a $2,000 bond pending a November 6 court date.

Sunday shortly after midnight, Sergeant J. Spragins responded to a motor vehicle collision call in the area of Marshall Street.

Spragins noticed a small car partially in the roadway and the curb. He also noticed a vehicle in the roadway at an angle towards the curb.

Officer H. Marshall arrived in the area and located the driver of a pickup sitting on the front porch of a house on Marshall Street. The pickup had heavy front end damage and both airbags deployed.

Timothy Patrick, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged by Spragins on a state citation for DWI, driving while license revoked, reckless driving, and exceeding a safe speed.

He received a November 8 court date.

Sunday shortly before 2 a.m., Newsome was on patrol in the area of East Seventh Street when he noticed a vehicle travelling towards him with a driver’s side headlamp out. 

Newsome turned to conduct a traffic stop. The driver stopped for Newsome, but as the officer approached the driver fled in the vehicle.

Newsome followed the vehicle down Carolina Street where the driver turned off all lights in an attempt to lose the officer.

The driver got back on Hamilton Street and continued north until he got to Hamilton and the Washington Street extension where he collided with a pole and ended up in a wooded area.

The driver, who was identified as Jeffery Mason, 32, of the Greensboro area, exited the vehicle and fled.

Newsome obtained warrants on Mason for felony flee to elude arrest, several counts of failing to stop for stop signs, improper passing, reckless driving to endanger others, resist, delay and obstruct, failing to stop for a steady red light, driving left of center, driving without two headlamps, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. He has been entered into criminal databases as a wanted person.

Martin said this morning it wasn’t clear if Mason has ties to the area. “He wasn’t familiar with the area which caused him to crash.”

Martin said records show this wasn’t his first encounter with law enforcement. “We imagine he is trying to get back to Greensboro.”

Martin said in the statement anyone with information or who has seen him is encouraged to call their local law enforcement agency or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office assisted.