Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: A suspect wanted by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigation Unit and the United States Marshal Service was arrested in Rockingham County. Iredell County narcotics investigators were notified on Monday December 28, 2015 about the arrest which took place on December 27.

The charges stemmed from an investigation into the sale and distribution of powder cocaine in the city of Mooresville and Southern Iredell County.

Undercover purchase of cocaine were made from a suspect later identified as Al Tiran Ashford of 551 Blendwood Drive in Charlotte. While gathering background on the suspect it was determined he was currently on Federal Probation.

Warrants for the suspects arrest were issued and an arrest operation involving the Iredell County Sheriff’s SERT Team was placed into action. An additional purchase of cocaine was made with the suspect and was to take place at a business off of Exit 33 in Mooresville.

The suspect arrived and the purchase was made. As the arrest team was moving into place the suspect spotted them and rammed a car in the parking lot causing thousands of dollars of damage to the vehicle. He then drove through several other business parking lots and jumped the median onto Williamson Road and then onto Interstate 77 South. Marked units of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office ACE and ICE Teams gave chase but due to the traffic conditions and the reckless manner and speed the suspect was operating his vehicle at, the chase was called off for public safety.

Several law enforcement agencies in Mecklenburg County were made aware of the suspect traveling towards them. The suspect was not located. Narcotics Investigators contacted the US Marshals and asked for their assistance on locating the suspect on our charges and a forth coming Federal Probation Violation Warrant.

Al Tiran Ashford is now in federal custody and has a detainer placed on him for the Iredell County charges which include; Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Trafficking Cocaine by Sell, Trafficking Cocaine by Possession, Trafficking Cocaine by Transport and Resisting a Public Officer. The amount of cocaine seized from the suspect was 37.1 grams worth 9300.00 dollars.

Ashford has an extensive criminal history and has past convictions of; Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury.