A man is in custody following a chase that began in Catawba County and ended on Highway 16 in Alexander County.
Sheriff Chris Bowman says Deputies from Catawba County pursued a vehicle into Alexander County early Tuesday evening. The reason for the pursuit is unclear but the motorist fled north across the Oxford Dam Bridge. Alexander County Sheriff’s Deputies deployed stop-sticks causing the suspect vehicle to stop near St John’s Lutheran Church on Highway 16.
Bowman says the suspect was in communication with Catawba County authorities by phone and was armed. He had threatened suicide according to emergency communications. Catawba County Deputies placed the suspect in custody. The name of the suspect and the charges have yet to be released.
In addition to Deputies from Alexander and Catawba Counties, Taylorsville Police and the North Carolina Highway Patrol assisted in the chase. Wittenburg Fire Department First Responders also provided traffic control as a section of Highway 16 was closed.
More information will be released by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.