Maiden Police Charge Lenoir Man With Attempting To Blow-Up A Truck

Maiden Police have charged a man with attempting to blow-up an 18 wheeler by shooting into the fuel tank.

Maiden Officers were called to a convenience store on Startown Road on Monday around 9am. A male suspect approached a parked rig and pointed a handgun at the driver of the truck, ordering the driver to exit the truck. The driver climbed from the truck and the subject began firing shots into the fuel tank. The suspect then fled the scene in a pickup.

While officers were on-scene the suspect returned in the pickup truck. When the officers attempted to stop the pickup, the suspect fled at high speed. Officers pursued the truck northbound on US Hwy 321 to NC Hwy 10 where the suspect ran out of fuel. The subject was arrested after resisting. A loaded pistol was located in he suspect’s pocket. Officers also located methamphetamine inside the suspect’s truck.

James Matthew Roland, age 54 of Lenoir, is charged with the following

– Felony – Second Degree Kidnapping
– Felony – Malicious Use of Explosive Damage Property
– Felony – Attempted Burning of Personal Property
– Felony – Possession of Firearm by Felon
– Felony – Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Meth
– Misdemeanor – Assault by Pointing a Gun
– Misdemeanor – Resisting Public Officer
– Misdemeanor – Discharge Firearm in Town Limits
– Misdemeanor – Go Armed to the Terror of the People

Roland is being held without bond in the Catawba County Detention Center. A first court appearance in Newton is scheduled for Tuesday.

Photo: Maiden Police Department