FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man faces drug and weapons charges following a pursuit by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy. 

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Ricky Delorenzo Taylor, 41, of Riverfield Road, Statesville, in a news release Thursday.

Sgt. D. Caskadon was traveling north on Shelton Avenue when his patrol vehicle was almost struck by a black vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign on Monday, February 5, the sheriff said.

When Caskaddon turned on his lights to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver — later identified as Taylor — fled at a high rate of speed, according to the news release.

The sergeant pursued the vehicle north on Shelton Avenue into the City of Statesville. While fleeing, Taylor began throwing bags out of the window of the vehicle, Campbell said.

Taylor eventually pulled over at Woodbridge Road on Highway 64 and was taken into custody.

The bags thrown from the vehicle were retrieved by patrol deputies and Statesville Police Department offciers who were in the area.

The bags contained illegal narcotics, according to the news release.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies found a loaded firearm with a 30-round magazine under the driver’s seat, Campbell said.  Additional narcotics were also found inside the vehicle, he added.

In total, deputies seized 73.39 grams of cocaine, 12 dosage units of Buprenorphine, and a Taurus 9mm handgun, according to the news release.

Taylor was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with two counts of Felony Trafficking Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay an Officer, and multiple traffic offenses.

Magistrate M. Nethken ordered Taylor held without bond pending his first court appearance. The suspect is currently on probation for Felony Armed Robbery and Felony Kidnapping.