FROM STAFF REPORTS

Law enforcement officers are actively searching for a Mooresville man accused of resisting and nearly running over an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy on Saturday afternoon.

A deputy assigned to the COPS Unit pulled Corey Allen Leazer, 33, over at a gas station off Oakridge Farm Road for a traffic violation about 4:30 p.m., ICSO Chief Bill Hamby said.

After the deputy approached Leazer’s truck, a confrontation ensued and turned physical, Hamby said.

Leazer got back in his truck and drove off, nearly hitting and dragging the deputy, who fired at the suspect, he added.

The deputy, who was dragged about 15 to 20 feet, was not seriously injured.

The suspect fled the area, and deputies gave chase until a supervisor decided that continuing the pursuit would jeopardize the safety of others in the area.

“We didn’t want to put the motoring public at further risk,” Hamby explained. “We backed off and set up a perimeter in the area.”

The suspect’s truck was found later in the Davidson area, he said.

ICSO deputies and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers are actively searching for Leazer.

Deputies have obtained a warrant charging Leazer with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer.

Once Leazer is in custody, he will also be charged with felony flee to elude, misdemeanor resist or delay an officer and numerous driving-related charges, Hamby said.

Leazer’s recent criminal history includes the following charges: obtaining property by false pretenses, two counts of possession of stolen property, conspiracy, larceny, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for sale or use of controlled substances, two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, obtain property by false pretense and resist, delay or obstruct an officer, and possession of cocaine.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has entered Corey Allen Leazer as a Wanted Person in national crime databases. Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100.