SALISBURY — Deputies arrested a man wanted for attempted murder out of New Jersey after they said he led them on a chase on Thursday.

The incident began when another law enforcement agency in Rowan County advised the sheriff’s office that a red Hyundai Tucson had fled from them when an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, according to a release from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. That agency’s policy would reportedly not allow them to pursue the Tucson.

Deputies then reportedly located the suspect on the northbound side of Interstate 85 near the exit to U.S. Highway 52. The vehicle was traveling approximately 25 mph over the speed limit and the driver fled from a traffic stop, according to the release. Deputies then initiated a pursuit.

The chase continued north into Davidson County, where Thomasville Police officers deployed stop sticks near exit 102. The Hyundai ran over the stop sticks, deflating the front driver’s side tire, but continued to flee, said the release. The chase then continued, eventually reaching Alamance County. There, the vehicle ran over more stop sticks, causing the front passenger’s side tire to deflate, but the driver allegedly continued to flee.

Eventually, the chase ended in Durham County, where the suspect had allegedly been forced to slow down to 30 mph due to the deflated tires, according to the release. There, the driver was forced to stop and deputies reportedly took him into custody without further incident.

Deputies searched the vehicle and reportedly found nine handguns and a rifle along with numerous rounds of ammunition. Deputies also reportedly found two bags of methamphetamine and also reportedly found crack cocaine and marijuana on the driver’s person.

During the arrest, the driver refused to give deputies his name and did not have documents that could identify him, according to the release. 

He was charged with felony flee to elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, carrying a concealed gun, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances and resisting a public officer. The still-unidentified man was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and given a $150,000 bond.

Deputies were later able to identify the man as 49-year-old Damian Bell, who had warrants for his arrest for two counts of attempted murder, which originated in New Jersey. Deputies reportedly confirmed the charges with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Bell was brought back before a magistrate, where his bond was raised to $900,000.