A Salisbury man who was charged two months ago on cocaine possession has been charged this week with trafficking heroin.
Salisbury Police charged Kenneth Dwayne Neely, 49, of the 1300 block of West Horah Street, with one count of felony possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance schedule II (crack), two counts felony trafficking heroin, one count felony possession of controlled substance schedule I (pills) and felony failure to appear.
Members of the police department’s Police Interdiction Team were patrolling through the West End on Wednesday at 11:40 p.m. when a Nissan passed an officer at West Horah Street and Brenner Avenue.
The officer recognized Neely, who goes by the nickname “Yogi,” and knew that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
The officer looked in his rearview mirror and saw the Nissan speeding. The officer turned to follow. Neely turned onto Grim Street and shortly thereafter pulled in behind a residence.
A report said Neely jumped from the vehicle and took off running. An officer stayed with the car and a foot chase ensued with another officer. Neely was caught at Roy and Van Nuys streets. Officers found Neely’s cell phone on the path he took.
The officer located 39 crack cocaine rocks and 35 hydrocodone pills in the driver’s side pocket.
Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins said Neely’s arrest, like other arrests, is a “direct result of the strategies and increased emphasis the police department has placed upon improving the quality of life for our West End community since mid April.”
Collins went on to say the department is aware that crime suppression efforts, like those that led to this arrest, are not the only answer to help deal with the challenges communities face each day.
“This level of policing is vital in our ongoing battle to make our neighborhoods safer, and a more enjoyable place to live,” he said.
Collins said the department is “committed to maintaining this level of vigilance as we fight and deter crime in our neighborhoods.”
Neely remained in the Rowan County Detention Center on Thursday under an $80,000 secured bond.
In May, police received a tip that Neely would be in the area of West Bank and Grim streets and he would be in possession of drugs. An officer found crack cocaine and marijuana in a glass jar in that incident.
Neely has a number of convictions including felony breaking and entering, resisting arrest, misdemeanor larceny, drug possession, assault on an officer and attempted financial card fraud.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.