Man faces felony charge after vehicle chase into Mooresville Dragstrip

Published 12:18 pm Friday, July 26, 2019

SALISBURY — A Mooresville man led deputies on a vehicle chase that ended at Mooresville Dragstrip after an officer tried to stop the driver for speeding in Rowan County, according to authorities.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Tiko Jermaine Adams, 35, of the 200 block of Troutman Avenue, with felony fleeing to elude arrest. He was also issued citations for speeding; driving while license revoked; running a stop sign; careless and reckless driving; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The chase happened about 10 p.m. Thursday. Rowan Deputy Matthew Johnson was on Wilkinson Road near N.C. 152 when he spotted a black 2006 BMW whose driver was speeding.

Johnson clocked the vehicle going 70 mph in a 55-mph zone. The deputy turned on his blue lights and siren in an attempt to stop the BMW. Officials said Adams increased his speed.

The BMW continued past Performance Road and Mooresville Dragstrip headed toward Iredell County. At the intersection of Linwood and Patterson roads, he failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a ditch, according to officials.

The driver regained control and continued on Patterson Road into Rowan County. He drove onto Wilkinson Road and made his way back to Mooresville Dragstrip. Officials said Adams turned into the dragstrip parking lot and looped around some parked vehicles. Adams then got out of his car and ran.

Deputy Johnson pursued Adams on foot across the dragstrip track, then over a fence for a short distance. Officials said Adams stopped running and turned to face Johnson, who arrested him.

The deputy searched Adams and found a black scale commonly used to weigh marijuana.

Adams was issued a $35,000 secured bond on the fleeing to elude arrest charge. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.

The vehicle was towed by Crawford’s Wrecker Service and will be seized under the “Run and You’re Done” law, which allows law enforcement agencies to seize vehicles involved in chases. If the suspect is convicted, the agency can sell the vehicle and turn over the proceeds to the local school system.

Officials said Mooresville Dragstrip was crowded the night of the chase with people attending Test & Tune Night.

Adams told the deputy he ran because he had a marijuana blunt, but he tossed it out when he crashed into a ditch during the vehicle chase.