ROWAN COUNTY, NC — Multiple warrants have been issued for the arrest of a man officials say led a deputy on a vehicle chase, assaulted him, and then escaped Tuesday morning.
Around 11:25am, Deputy R.D. Addison attempted to pull over Christopher Erwin, 32, after seeing him perform an illegal traffic move at the intersection of Rowan Mill Road and South Main Street. Officials say Erwin refused the deputy’s commands and proceeded to lead him on a vehicle chase.
According to reports, Erwin eventually crashed on a wooded trail off of Balfour Drive. Officials say Addison believed Erwin to be armed when he exited the vehicle, but later determined that not to be the case. After multiple commands to get on the ground, Deputy Addison was forced to use his taser on Erwin. Despite multiple attempts, it had little to no effect. Erwin then proceeded to assault Deputy Addison while trying to take his weapons, and eventually landed several punches to the deputy’s face which left him stunned momentarily, according to a news release.
Officials say Erwin then took off on foot and managed to take a golf cart from a golfer on the 13th hole of a nearby golf course. Deputy Addison last saw Erwin driving down the fairway towards Mooresville Road. Units from Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury PD, NCHP, and the NC SHP helicopter searched the area, but were unable to locate Erwin.
Deputies say they also found 21 grams of cocaine, a set of scales, and a metal spoon with burn marks inside Erwin’s vehicle. A 9mm handgun was also located in some brush just outside the driver’s side door when crews towed the vehicle away, according to investigators. Deputies say a search on the gun showed that it reported stolen back in April from the Lexington, NC area.
Christopher Erwin is wanted on charges of Resisting a Public Officer (M), Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer Inflicting Physical Injury (F), Felonious Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Possession of a Stolen Firearm (F), Carrying a Concealed Weapon (M), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F), Common Law Robbery (F), Felony Possession of a Sch. II Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Sch. II Controlled Substance (F), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M).
Officials say Erwin is a light-skinned black male, around 6 feet tall, around 250lbs, short black hair, and was last seen wearing gray sweat pants and a blue over white sip up hoodie.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should immediately call 911. Erwin is to be considered armed and dangerous.
