By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

LEXINGTON — A Salisbury couple led Lexington authorities on a vehicle chase after they were caught stealing a television from Walmart on Tuesday. Then they led officers on a foot chase and stole another vehicle.

Lexington Patrol Capt. Michael Hunt said police received a call about 11 a.m. from Walmart reporting a larceny in progress. Officers were given a description of the person who stole a TV and was seen getting into a pickup. The truck was located not far from the Walmart, 160 Lowes Blvd., but the driver failed to stop for police.

The driver, later identified as Miranda Dillard Head, drove into the parking lot of a Lidl store, lost the television from the back of the truck, and kept driving. A passing motorist picked up the $1,000 TV, which still had security mechanisms on it, put it in her vehicle and returned it to police officers.

Hunt said Head pulled into a residential area not far from the Walmart and an officer got out to speak with her passenger, later identified as Anthony Wayne Godbey.

Godbey took off running and led the officer on a short foot chase. Unable to catch up with Godbey, the officer returned to the pickup, with Head still in the vehicle.

Hunt said Head spun out of the driveway and continued onto Fairview Drive. Officers from the Lexington Police Department, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and State Highway Patrol chased the vehicle for nearly 9 miles through town and deployed stop sticks a couple of times but were unsuccessful in stopping the vehicle.

Head tried to make a right turn but saw an officer and turned around, then struck a vehicle on Talbert Drive and continued to drive. The owner of the vehicle she struck suffered minor injuries. Head reached Lexington Golf Club, where she ran from the pickup while it was still running. She was quickly arrested.

A police dog was used to track the area where Godbey was last seen but was unsuccessful after about an hour. Police received a phone call from the area of a Planet Fitness and Dollar Tree from someone reporting that his vehicle was stolen from the parking lot. Police said the caller left the keys in the truck.

Rowan County authorities arrested Godbey about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of Hope Hill Road in Salisbury, according to reports.

Godbey, 33, was charged with two counts of resisting or obstructing an officer; two counts of felony larceny; larceny; assault on a government official; possession of a stolen vehicle; possession of drug paraphernalia; being a habitual felon; five counts of failure to appear in court; and driving while license revoked.

He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $60,000 secured bond.

Head, 34, was charged with aiding or abetting; felony larceny; felony speeding to elude an officer; hit and run; and resisting or delaying an officer. She remains in the Davidson County Detention Center under a $20,000 secured bond.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.