Three county chase in N.C. leads to drug trafficking arrests

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WMBF) – Robeson County deputies were led on a three-county chase on Thursday afternoon.

Deputies said they tried to stop a 1980 Chevrolet truck on I-95 for a motor vehicle violation, but the truck took off, kickstarting a chase through three counties.

The chase led deputies through Lumberton, into Bladen County and then Cumberland County.

While in Cumberland County, deputies said the suspect abandoned the truck and then got into a 2022 Dodge Challenger that was standing by for the suspect.

The sheriff’s office said the chase then continued back into Robeson County and ended at Indian Heritage Road after the car drove into a field.

Chase suspects ended up in a field in Robeson County off Indian Heritage Road after failing to stop for a stop sign on Thursday afternoon.(Source: Robeson County Sheriff's Office)

The suspect inside the car tried to run away. They were taken into custody after a short search by deputies and aerial support from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division.

During the investigation, authorities seized a number of drugs including cocaine and fentanyl. They said they also found firearms.

Deputies arrested 30-year-old Dorean Smith and 24-year old Isaiah Jones.

Dorean Smith, Isaiah Jones(Source: Robeson County Sheriff's Office)

Smith faces drug trafficking charges, possession of a stolen firearm and fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle. He is at the Robeson County Detention Center under a $525,000 bond.

Jones faces a drug trafficking charge, possession of a stolen vehicle and fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. He is at the Robeson County Detention Center under a $250,000 bond.

The Lumberton Police Department, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the ATF helped in the investigation.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170.

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