Two Arrested After Catawba-Lincoln County Chase

45-year-old Endiaye Tyre Jefferson and 23-year-old Amira Nichole McAfee, both of the same address on Crestview Drive in Charlotte, have been arrested by Catawba County Sheriff’s Officers. They were both charged with felony larceny, along with counts of possession of stolen goods or property and resisting a public officer. Jefferson was also charged with providing fictitious information to an officer, reckless driving to endanger, fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, driving while license revoked, driving the wrong way on a dual lane roadway, and possession of burglary tools. He was also served a warrant as a fugitive awaiting extradition to another state.

Catawba County Deputies were assisted by Lincoln County Deputies in terminating a chase on N.C. Highway 16 at about six o’clock this morning (June 9). Events leading to the arrests unfolded as Catawba County Communications notified Lincoln County of a vehicle pursuit that was traveling into Lincoln County. Deputies were dispatched to several intersections to deploy stop-sticks. The suspect vehicle was a U-Haul truck pulling a trailer that had been reported stolen from Highway 70 in Newton.

The truck was able to avoid the stop-sticks at the N.C. Highway 150 intersection. The vehicle continued south on Highway 16. Lincoln County Deputies then deployed stop-sticks at the St. James Church Road intersection. The stop-sticks damaged the right rear tires on the truck and trailer. The suspect vehicle slowed to approximately 30 miles-per-hour. As the vehicle reached the N.C. Highway 73 on-ramp, stop-sticks were again deployed by Deputies from Lincoln and Catawba counties.

The stop-sticks left the truck with one fully inflated tire, forcing it to come to a halt. Catawba County Deputies called for the suspect and passenger to exit the vehicle at gunpoint. For about 25 minutes, the suspects did not follow the Deputies’ commands. At that point, the suspect and passenger surrendered.

Jefferson and McAfee were transported back to Catawba County where they were charged and placed in the Catawba County Detention Facility. Jefferson was given a $41,000 bond, while McAfee’s bond was set at $25,000. Both suspects are scheduled to make first appearances in District Court on Friday in Newton.

Story: Ralph Mangum-WHKY