ELIZABETHTOWN — One person has been arrested and a second person is being sought after a high-speed chase that began in Bladen County and ended with a four-vehice crash near Littlefield Middle School.
Michael K. Chavis, 33, of 434 Turkey Branch Road in Fairmont, is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and two counts of possession of stolen goods. Bail was set at $350,000.
James Robert Lewis, 37, of 153 Derrick Road in Fairmont, faces the same charges as Chavis and is being sought by lawmen.
According to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker, a 911 call came about 10 a.m. Tuesday regarding a home on the 8300 block of N.C. 41 West in Bladenboro. Deputies foiled a breaking-and-entering and a high-speed chase followed, he said.
The chase went down several roads in Bladen County before the suspects turned back onto N.C. 41 and went into Robeson County, McVicker said. The vehicle attempted to cut through the parking lot of a convenience store near Littlefield Middle School on N.C. 41 and struck two vehicles and a deputy’s vehicle.
Both men fled from the scene on foot and Chavis was quickly captured, McVicker said. A search that included a helicopter ended about noon when the suspect was identified.
The deputy, whose name was not released, was transported to Bladen County Hospital, where he was treated and released for back injuries. McVicker said the suspects’ vehicle, which was a rental car, and the patrol car were both heavily damaged.
Deputies recovered two weapons from the suspect vehicle, one of which had been reported stolen earlier. Property from the home where the break-in occurred also was recovered.
“I wish to thank the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their assistance in this matter,” McVicker said. “Their quick response to our request for help was instrumental in the arrest of Chavis and discovering the identity of Lewis.”