A Roanoke Rapids man Tuesday was charged as a habitual felon following a chase that began with a larceny call.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said the charges lodged against James Lee Ashe, 55, began when Officer P. Dueitt responded to a larceny call at a business in the 1200 block of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway around 1:30 p.m.

When Dueitt exited one of the businesses during his investigation he observed Ashe getting into a vehicle. He then left the parking lot at a high rate of speed.

Dueitt pursued Ashe down Highway 158 and then onto Boykins Street. When turning off Boykins to Chockoyotte Street, two boxes were thrown from the vehicle — boxes that contained stolen goods.

Ashe turned into a driveway and attempted to flee inside of a residence before being apprehended by Dueitt.

Ashe was taken before a Halifax County magistrate and charged with felony habitual larceny, possession of stolen goods, failure to heed blue lights and sirens, and driving while license revoked.   

He remains in the Halifax County Detention on a $2,500 secured bond and has a July 25 district court date.

His lengthy criminal record was factored into the habitual  larceny charge, Guyant said.

His convictions include:

Two past habitual larceny convictions in Halifax County

A shoplifting conviction in Northampton County

A misdemeanor larceny conviction in Nash County

Misdemeanor common law uttering, shoplifting, three misdemeanor larceny, and a resist, delay, and obstruct convictions in Halifax County.