By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – A man known to authorities took officers on a short foot chase through the woods Thursday after officers recognized him.
The Salisbury Police charged Joshua Alexander Hovis, 25, of East Liberty Street, with misdemeanor resist, delay, obstruct a public officer, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor driving while license revoked.
The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. near Ashton Woods Apartments.
Hovis was in the driver’s seat in a parked car at the corner of Shaver and Cemetery streets when a member of the police drug unit passed the vehicle. The officer recognized Hovis and knew his license was revoked.
As officers circled the area, the driver stopped at Pine Street near Bringle Ferry Road. Officers approached the driver as he got out of the car. When the officers commanded him to stop, he told them, “not today,” a report said.
Police reports said Hovis took off into a wooded area behind the apartment complex.
Hovis led officers on a foot chase through a thicket. Reports said Hovis dropped something while running. He was arrested shortly after the chase began.
Officers seized $370 in cash, a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and magazine and scales from the vehicle. Hovis dropped the pistol, which was retrieved by officers, a report said.
Hovis has previously been convicted of drug possession, carrying a concealed weapon, assault on a female and driving while license revoked.
Hovis remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond.