Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On January 1, 2016 at approximately 1:35 am Deputy Roger Vargas observed a red Chevrolet Avalanche truck traveling south bound on Turnersburg Hwy near Jennings Rd at a high rate of speed. Deputy Vargas got behind the vehicle and activated his blue lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The truck then accelerated and got onto Interstate 77 south bound and continued on the interstate trying to elude deputies. The truck then got onto Interstate 40 west bound and ended up losing control and wrecking on Interstate 40 near Turnersburg Hwy.
The four occupants of the vehicle then got out of the vehicle and ran on foot from deputies. Deputies learned that the vehicle was reported stolen from the City of Statesville. While circulating the area Sgt. Leo Hayes, with the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit, located the three passengers from the vehicle at a nearby hotel. Sgt. L.J. Hayes and Deputy Vargas then continued to circulate the area to attempt to find the driver of the vehicle and located him on Turnersburg Hwy near Crossroads Dr. Mr. John William Cox III, then ran from deputies on foot and while running he threw a loaded pistol on the ground. Deputies were able to take Mr. Cox into custody without further incident. Mr. Cox was transported to the Iredell County Magistrates Office.
Mr. Cox was charged with Larceny of Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, Carrying a Concealed Gun, Resisting a Public Officer, Injury to Personal Property, Possession of Less than ½ Ounce of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Driving After Consuming Under 21, Possession of Liquor under 21, and Consume an Alcoholic Beverage under 21. Mr. Cox was given a $15,000 secured bond and has a pending court date.
There was also several items of stolen property located in the vehicle from vehicle break in’s inside the City of Statesville and more charges are pending at this time. The three other subjects were juveniles in the vehicle, and were released to their parents.