FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man faces a felony drug charge after he was apprehended following a foot pursuit involving officers from several law enforcement agencies.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Donnell Fredrick Stribling, 40, in a news release.

On Saturday, May 14, Deputy C. Little, who is assigned to the ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team attempted to stop a vehicle on Interstate 77 North at Exit 49A for multiple traffic violations, according to the news release.

The driver failed to pull over and continued traveling north on I-77, Campbell said. While following the vehicle with his patrol unit’s blue lights and siren on, Deputy Little saw the suspect vehicle driver, later identified as Stribling, throw a plastic bag out of the car window, according to the news release.

The driver stopped the vehicle at Exit 49B and a black male passenger got out of the car and ran away on foot, Campbell said. The driver then drove off at a high rate of speed, exiting the interstate at East Broad Street and hitting the embankment, according to the news release.

The driver got out of the vehicle and ran in the direction of the Red Roof Inn.

ICSO deputies and Statesville Police Department officers quickly established a perimeter in the area.

ICSO Canine Deputy N. Hodges arrived on the scene and deployed Canine Levi, who tracked and located Stribling a short time later near Eastside Drive, Campbell said. The suspect was arrested without further incident.

Additional deputies went to the area where the plastic bag was thrown out of the vehicle and located a bag containing 10.63 grams of crack cocaine, Campbell said.

Stribling was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Flee to Elude Arrest with Motor Vehicle, and Misdemeanor Resist Obstruct Delay.

Stribling appeared before Magistrate Callejas, who issued a $7,500 secured bond on those charges. Stribling was also served an Order for Arrest out of Guilford County for traffic charges. Magistrate Callejas issued an additional $1,000 secured bond on those charges. Stribling was also charged by the North Carolina Highway Patrol with several driving-related charges.

According to the ICSO, Stribling’s criminal history includes the following charges: Misdemeanor Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Keeping a Disorderly House, Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, two counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Shoplifting of Concealment of Goods, and Misdemeanor Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.

Stribling is a verified Blood gang member by the North Carolina Department of Corrections.