Date/Time of Offense: Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
Offense(s)/Charge(s): Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest
Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule VI
Controlled Substance
Felony Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled
Substance
Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm
Misdemeanor Carry Concealed Weapon
Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay a Law Enforcement Officer
Location of Incident: Interstate 77 Southbound.
Suspect(s): Edgar Raphael Rodriguez, 35 Years Old
211 Cleveland Street
Brooklyn, New York 11208
16Year Old Juvenile
Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Tuesday, December 21, 2021 deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Interstate Criminal Enforcement (ICE) Team conducted a vehicle stop on a 2021 Honda with Massachusetts Registration Plates on Interstate 77 for a traffic violation.
During the course of the stop, the deputies became suspicious of possible criminal activity. The driver, Edgar Raphael Rodriguez of 211 Cleveland St. 1 Brooklyn New York. There was also a male passenger inside the vehicle sitting in the passenger seat. When Rodriguez was questioned additionally by the deputies, he placed the vehicle in drive and sped away from the deputies.
The deputies started to pursue, the suspect vehicle. During the pursuit Rodriguez threw a handgun out of his vehicle. The deputies continued the pursuit and Rodriguez struck a tractor trailer while fleeing.
The pursuit continued on Interstate 77 with the suspect vehicle striking additional vehicles, and the guardrail before becoming disabled near the 44 Southbound Mile Marker. Both suspects then abandoned their vehicle and ran foot.
Numerous Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Deputies and Detectives responded to the area of Hoover Road and Scarlet Tanager Lane to assist in locating the suspects.
Additional information was received about the suspects being in the of Scarlet Tanager Lane trying to obtain another vehicle, and even making contact with a homeowner in the area who they offered money to assist them in hiding from law enforcement.
Canine Wilber was deployed to in track the suspects. A perimeter was established and within minutes the suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Once in custody it was determined the second suspect was 16 years old and the son of Rodriguez.
After securing the suspect vehicle, 5 ounces of Marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia were located. The handgun which Rodriguez threw out of the vehicle was located and after running the serial numbers through a criminal justice data base, it was verified to have been stolen in Pennsylvania.
Edgar Raphael Rodriguez was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. Upon searching the suspect’s criminal history, it was determined he is a convicted felon in the state of New York. Rodriguez was charged with: Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Misdemeanor Carry Concealed Weapon, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer. Magistrate R. Imes issued a 250,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges. Rodriguez also received numerous charges from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The 16 year old was turned over to the Iredell County Department of Social Services which will assist in returning him to his family.