CONOVER, N.C. — A Claremont man is accused of fleeing a license checkpoint and leading Troopers on a 100 mph pursuit through multiple counties. Troopers say he was arrested after he ran over stop sticks on I-40.
On Tuesday, September 30, around 10:30 p.m., members of the NC State Highway Patrol were conducting a license checkpoint on NC 16 near Shell Hollar Road. A 2015 Chevrolet Malibu approached the checkpoint, and the driver was asked to pull to the shoulder because he did not have identification on him.
The driver, Vaughn Paul Mitchell III, 34, of Claremont, did not pull over, and a vehicle chase was initiated. The Malibu traveled on NC 16 for several miles into Alexander County, reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The driver then turned onto US 64 and traveled into Iredell County, turning onto I-40 west towards Catawba County. As the driver attempted to merge onto I-40, a trooper attempted a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver), which was unsuccessful, and the driver continued west on I-40.
Vaughn Mitchell III
At approximately mile marker 133, the Malibu struck stop sticks that had been deployed by troopers, disabling the vehicle. The driver then pulled over onto the NC 16 ramp (mile marker 132) and was taken into custody without incident. A female passenger in the vehicle was not charged or taken into custody.
Mitchell was arrested and charged with:
- Felony flee to elude
- Failure to heed blue lights and sirens
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Driving while license revoked
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Resisting a public officer
- Injury to real property
Mitchell was also served with three outstanding warrants. He received a $125,001 bond and is being held at the Catawba County Detention Center. His vehicle was seized under North Carolina’s “Run and You’re Done” law.
