The man who led authorities on a two-county chase on Saturday remains in the Alexander County Jail.
As reported from the scene, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the United States Secret Service requesting assistance in locating Shaun Brian Jones near Riverbend Park.
A Catawba County Deputy located the suspect within minutes of receiving the notification. During the encounter, Jones struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle and fled the scene, traveling north on Highway 16 into Alexander County. The deputy subsequently lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the pursuit. The Catawba County 911 Communications Center notified Alexander County authorities with updated suspect and vehicle information.
An Alexander County Deputy later observed the suspect vehicle traveling north on Highway 16 and initiated a traffic stop using emergency lights and siren. The suspect failed to stop and continued into the Taylorsville city limits, where an officer with the Taylorsville Police Department assisted in the pursuit. The suspect vehicle entered the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Taylorsville and came to a stop. After a brief standoff, the driver exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.
Shaun Brian Jones
Assault on a Government Official (Catawba County)
Resisting Arrest (Catawba County)
Failure to Stop for Blue Light and Siren (Catawba County)
Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle (Alexander County)
Jones is currently being held at the Alexander County Detention Center under a $90,000 secured bond in Alexander County and a $30,000 secured bond in Catawba County.
Deputies received information indicating a possible explosive device inside the suspect’s vehicle. Hazardous Device Units from Gaston County Police Department and Gastonia Police Department responded to the scene to evaluate and clear the vehicle.
B86 news has learned that the suspect had been on the Secret Service’s radar prior to this latest incident. Jones had apparently made threats in the past against President Trump. Federal Authorities were aware of his activities. We’ve also learned that propane tanks were located in the van that Jones was operating on Saturday. After an extensive search of the vehicle, it was deemed to not represent an immediate threat. Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell has confirmed that Secret Service agents came to Taylorsville and questioned Jones for a period of time. At this time no other charges have been filed against the suspect other than the local offenses.
During the investigation, roads in the surrounding area were temporarily closed with assistance from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, the Taylorsville Police Department, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol. The Taylorsville Fire Department and Alexander County EMS were placed on standby as a precaution.