KANNAPOLIS — A Kannapolis man was charged Tuesday after he drove his vehicle into a house, fled the scene and tried to hit an officer.

Authorities said Jabari Elon Watts, 26, of the 100 block of Westover Avenue, also jumped into a stranger’s vehicle.

Rowan County Sheriff’s Office  deputies were called at 9:23 p.m. to investigate a traffic crash involving a silver Chevrolet Malibu that had hit a house. The driver, later identified as Jabari Watts, was involved in a chase with Landis Police Department officers.

Landis police said they called off the chase when they lost sight of the vehicle. A Rowan County sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle about three minutes later.

Authorities said Carlos Gonzalez, who was driving a white van, stopped where the crash occurred in the 700 block of Ebenezer Road, Kannapolis, and asked if he could help.

When deputies arrived, Watts was running around Gonzalez’s van and entered through the passenger’s side. Gonzalez told officers he does not know Watts. Officers tried to get Watts to get out of the vehicle, but he did not immediately respond.

Officers drew their weapons and told Watts to get out of the van. He eventually complied.

A sheriff’s deputy caught Watts after he tried to run.

According to a report, Watts slapped at the deputy’s hand and then tried to punch the officer.

Watts was arrested and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer; misdemeanor assault of a law enforcement officer; misdemeanor injury to real property; parole violation; felony fleeing to elude arrest; and failure to appear or comply.

When asked why he ran, Watts said he has outstanding arrest warrants in Cabarrus County.

He faces additional charges of felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance Schedule I in Kannapolis and misdemeanor failure to appear and driving while license revoked in Cabarrus County.

Watts remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $321,500 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.