By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County authorities charged three men after a June 1 vehicle chase in Gold Hill.

Officials said while searching for one of the suspects at a Spencer home, one of the men was charged with possession of marijuana.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said a car was stopped on U.S. 52 in Gold Hill for a minor traffic violation. The driver, Juvonta Lafond, did not have a driver’s license. The deputy said he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, and he saw a magazine for an assault rifle inside.

The deputy called for another officer to assist in the investigation. Before the backup deputy arrived, the vehicle sped off, and the deputy pursued the vehicle. The driver reached speeds in excess of 100 mph. The chase went into Stanly County and continued into Albemarle, where the vehicle was wrecked on Church Street, officials said.

A search of the vehicle involved in the chase revealed an AR-15 rifle that had been stolen in Winston-Salem. A loaded handgun, a ski mask, gloves and marijuana were also found inside the vehicle.

Both men inside jumped from the car and ran into the woods. Winston-Salem Police Department detectives identified the passenger as Albert Britford and investigators received information that he was at a home in Spencer. On June 5, detectives obtained a search warrant for 614 Meadow Lane in Spencer and arrested 23-year-old Britford.

Officials also found Demetrious Lane at the home, in possession of a pound of marijuana.

Winston-Salem Police and Forsyth County Sheriff’s officials received information that Juvonta Lafond, 23, might be in the Winston-Salem area. However, Lafond was arrested in Albemarle. He was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest and felony possession of a firearm by a felon. He was issued a $20,000 secured bond and has since been released.

On Monday, Rowan deputies arrested Demetrious Lane during a traffic stop where he was a passenger. He was in possession of marijuana during the stop. He faces multiple charges for marijuana possession and was issued a $5,000 secured bond. He has since been released from the Rowan County jail.