One charged with fleeing from police, barricading inside house
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 27, 2024
SALISBURY — A Rowan County man has been charged after police said that he fled from a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation before escaping on foot, returning home and barricading himself inside the house.
The incident began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, when two deputies noticed a white Ford Ranger drive past them on Goldfish Road with both the driver and the passenger not wearing seatbelts, said Captain Mark McDaniel, public information officer for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies, who were in one vehicle, then reportedly attempted to catch up to the truck, during which time it allegedly turned right onto Moose Road without stopping at the stop sign.
The deputies attempted to stop the Ranger on Moose Road with lights and siren, at which point the truck sped up and continued driving, said McDaniel. The truck turned left onto China Grove Road, where it allegedly attempted to brake check the deputies multiple times. The vehicle then turned left onto Echerd Street, where it continued into a driveway in the 2500 block of Glenwood Street, hitting a trailer parked there, said McDaniel.
The driver allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and ran on foot, while the passenger complied with deputies commands and stayed put. Deputies chased the driver through the nearby woods with a K9 unit, but eventually lost him, said McDaniel.
Later in the day, deputies received information that the driver, identified as 21-year-old Jeremiah James Phifer, had returned to the home in the 2500 block of Glenwood Avenue, said McDaniel. Deputies reportedly returned to the property, surrounded it and commanded all of the occupants to come out.
A relative of Phifer came out of the building and informed deputies that Phifer was in the house, said McDaniel. Deputies reportedly had also previously received information that Phifer was possibly armed with a firearm. The deputies reportedly repeatedly ordered Phifer to come out, but he allegedly responded and said that he would not leave.
Phifer walked near an exterior door and was arrested by deputies at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Phifer was charged with felony flee to elude and misdemeanor resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer. He was also served with warrants for misdemeanor simple affray and felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and denied bond by Magistrate Sean Reid due to the Pre-Trial Integrity Act.