Commending local law enforcement for aiding in multi-county vehicle pursuit
On March 14, 2024 at approximately 11:52 pm, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received information from another law enforcement agency advising them of a red Hyundai Tucson that had failed to stop for one of their officers on a traffic stop.
That agency's policy would not allow them to engage in a pursuit for a misdemeanor traffic violation.
Moments later, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office located the suspect vehicle on interstate 85 near exit 76(US Highway 52). Deputies noted that the vehicle appeared to be traveling approximately 25 mph over the posted speed limit of 70 mph. A traffic stop was initiated but the vehicle did not stop, and a pursuit began North bound on I-85.
As the pursuit continued North Bound on I-85, other agencies, such as North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Davidson County Sheriff's Office and Thomasville Police Department NC were requested for assistance.
The pursuing deputies were made aware that Thomasville Police had deployed stop sticks at exits 102 and 103.
As the pursuit approached exit 102 in Davidson County the suspect vehicle hit the stop sticks that Thomasville Police had deployed. At this point, the suspect vehicle decreased speed, but continued to flee despite having a flat left front tire.
The pursuit continued North Bound on I-85, where stop sticks were attempted again at exit 141 in Burlington, but they were unsuccessful.
Continuing North bound into Alamance County, stop sticks were deployed once more at exit 147.
This time, successfully striking the right front tire of the suspect vehicle. Yet, the suspect vehicle continued to flee with two flat tires on the front of the vehicle as the pursuit continued North bound on I-85 traveling through Orange County and Durham County.
Eventually the suspect vehicle began slowing down because of not having any tires left on the front wheels. The vehicle finally slowed down to approximately 30 mph and came to a stop just before exit 183 in Durham County.
The driver was taken into custody without further incident. The pursuit covered a total distance of approximately 100 miles.
Inside the vehicle, deputies located 9 handguns and one rifle for a total of 10 firearms, and numerous rounds of ammunition, along with two bags of methamphetamine.
While searching the driver, deputies located crack cocaine, and marijuana. The driver initially refused to give his name and had no documents to identify who he was.
He was charged with multiple charges including Felony Flee to Elude, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Carrying a Concealed Gun, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling Place for Controlled Substance and Resisting a Public Officer.
The suspect was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $150,000.00 secured bond.
Deputies later learned that the suspects name is Damian Bell and that he was wanted out of New Jersey for two counts of Attempted Murder.
Deputies spoke to the Prosecutor's Office in Monmouth County New Jersey who confirmed that Bell was still wanted on the attempted murder charges, and that they would extradite him back to New Jersey.
A fugitive warrant was obtained for Bell, and he was brought back before a magistrate where he received an additional bond of $750,000.00 bringing his total bond to $900,000.00.
