By Rebecca Rider

rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man just wanted to get his daughter’s car fixed Wednesday. But by the end of the day, the 2007 burgundy Mustang would be stolen and involved in a high-speed chase with police.

Salisbury Police Department Capt. Shelia Lingle said the man drove his daughter’s car to work Wednesday morning, planning to take it in for repairs later that day. The key was stuck in the ignition and could not be removed. He parked the car behind his office at Nationwide Insurance on Statesville Boulevard, leaving it unlocked. But when he went to get the car a short time later, it was gone.

He called the police. Officers took a description of the vehicle and checked the area to see if the car was still nearby — but no luck. Luck did strike as the reporting officer was driving back toward the police headquarters. While traveling down South Ellis Street, he ended up behind a burgundy Mustang.

Lingle said the officer called in the plates and they were a match. The officer turned on his blue lights and tried to stop the vehicle. That’s when the driver of the car took off, Lingle said.

The car turned onto South Caldwell Street, running stop signs at Monroe and Horah before coming to an abrupt stop at Caldwell and Fisher streets. The driver and a passenger got out of the car and ran. Police officers in the area caught the passenger, Devonte Jamar Springs, 19, at Church and Fisher streets.

Springs was cooperative, and police were able to identify the driver as Marterius Azende Robinson, 19, of Laurel Pointe Circle. Warrants were obtained for his arrest. Police located him on Standish Street after pinging his phone.

According to Lingle, Springs told police he and Robinson were on their way to Salisbury High School to take food to Spring’s girlfriend.

Springs was charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer. He was placed under a $500 secured bond.

Robinson was charged with motor vehicle theft, receiving or transferring stolen vehicles, fleeing and eluding arrest, and resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 bond.

Robinson has been previously charged in Rowan County with breaking and entering motor vehicles, unauthorized use of a motor conveyance, possessing stolen goods, speeding to elude arrest, and receiving a stolen vehicle.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.