By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan authorities charged three with drug offenses after police say they sold drugs to an undercover officer and took investigators on a short car chase, which led to the men crashing their car down an embankment.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andre Rodrico Clodfelter Jr., 22; Winslow Cherry Jr., 25; and Justin Drew Peterson, 35.

Officials said the incident began Tuesday afternoon with an undercover drug purchase at IHOP. The men sped off in a dark gray car from the restaurant parking lot, through the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot — traveling at an estimated 60 mph in the parking lot — and back down Bendix Drive.

Investigators pursued the men, who officials said got to the end of the road at Super 8 motel, paused briefly and accelerated down the embankment. Officials estimated the embankment to be between 50 and 75 feet from the roadway.

The three men jumped out of the car and ran, but were quickly apprehended.

Clodfelter was charged with felony trafficking heroin or opium, felony conspiring to sell/deliver heroin and felony fleeing to elude arrest. He remains in the Rowan jail under a $250,000 secured bond.

Cherry was charged with felony conspiring to sell/deliver heroin and resist, obstruct, delay an officer. He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.

Peterson was charged with felony trafficking heroin or opium and felony conspiring to sell/deliver heroin. He remains in the county jail under a $200,000 secured bond.

Authorities said both Cherry and Clodfelter are known gang members. Clodfelter has a number of misdemeanor convictions including assault on an officer and breaking and entering.

Cherry was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, robbery with a dangerous weapon and other misdemeanor offenses.

Peterson was convicted of felony possession of a schedule I, felony possession with intent to sell a schedule I, and other misdemeanor offenses.