Edgar Raphael Rodriguez
During the course of the stop, the deputies became suspicious of possible criminal activity. The driver was 35-year old Edgar Raphael Rodriguez of Brooklyn, New York. There was also a male passenger inside the vehicle. While being questioned by deputies, the suspect placed the vehicle in drive and sped away.
The deputies started to pursue, the suspect vehicle. During the pursuit Rodriguez threw a handgun out of his vehicle. Officers continued the pursuit seeing Rodriguez strike a tractor trailer rig. The pursuit continued on Interstate 77 with the suspect vehicle striking additional vehicles, and a guardrail before becoming disabled near the 44 Southbound Mile Marker. Both suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran foot.
Numerous Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Deputies and Detectives responded to the area of Hoover Road and Scarlet Tanager Lane to assist in locating the suspects.
Information was received about the suspects being in the area of Scarlet Tanager Lane trying to obtain another vehicle, and even making contact with a homeowner to whom they offered money to assist them in hiding from law enforcement.
Canine Officer Wilber was deployed. A perimeter was established and within minutes the suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Once in custody it was determined the second suspect was 16 years old and the son of Rodriguez.
Five ounces of Marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia were located in the wrecked car. The handgun which Rodriguez threw out of the vehicle was located and after running the serial numbers through a criminal justice data base, it was verified to have been stolen in Pennsylvania.
Edgar Raphael Rodriguez was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. Upon searching the suspect’s criminal history, it was determined he is a convicted felon in the state of New York. Rodriguez was charged with: Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Misdemeanor Carry Concealed Weapon, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer. Rodriguez also received numerous charges from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He is being held in the Iredell County Detention Center with a secured bond of $250,000.
The 16 year was referred to the Iredell County Department of Social Services which will assist in returning him to his family.
Photo: Iredell County Sheriff’s Office