UPDATE: Deputies arrested 28-year-old Curtis Dalton Jr. after he led them on a dangerous chase Wednesday afternoon.
According to deputies, they began tracking Dalton in the Statesville area shortly after 12pm. Dalton was wanted for a home invasion in a neighboring county, officials say, and was considered armed and dangerous.
Dalton took off from deputies when they tried to stop him on Turnersburg Highway. According to reports, Dalton flipped his vehicle in the back yard of a West Debbie Drive home after intentionally hitting two patrol cars. Deputies say Dalton took off on foot and left an injured female passenger in the car, along with multiple guns.
The woman was taken to Davis Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released.
Deputies eventually caught up with Dalton in the area of Cooper Farm Road. Officials say he stole a white Chevrolet work van and took off again.
Dalton struck another patrol vehicle, and then led law enforcement on a chase towards I-77 that included several failed attempts by the authorities at using stop sticks.
“Given the dangerous behavior and his direction of travel, toward an elementary school within a half mile, this suspect needed to be stopped and arrested immediately,” said Sheriff Darren Campbell.
Pursuing units performed a vehicle maneuver that caused Dalton to lose control of the van and wreck on I-77 just south of exit 54. Officials say no other vehicles were involved in the wreck.
Dalton was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital for treatment.
According to a release, Dalton has a long criminal history and is a convicted felon in both Virginia and North Carolina for drug and property offenses.
Once he is released from the hospital, officials say Dalton will be charged with six counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Speeding to Elude Arrest, Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Careless and Reckless Driving.
Dalton was also wanted on warrants from the State of Virginia and Rowan County.
