ROCKINGHAM — An Anson County man is facing multiple charges after reportedly leading deputies on an early morning chase down the bypass — in the wrong lane.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was patrolling the U.S. 74 bypass around 4:43 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 when he noticed a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lane.
The deputy reportedly activated his lights and siren to let the driver — later identified as 39-year-old Michael Eric Bennett Jr. of Lilesville —know he was driving the wrong way.
When the unnamed deputy caught up with the vehicle, Bennett reportedly “sped off at a high rate of speed.”
Other deputies joined the pursuit and one reportedly deployed stop sticks to deflate the tires. Bennett reportedly kept going a short distance before he was blocked in.
The sheriff’s office reports that Bennett refused to get out of his vehicle and had to be physically removed to be restrained.
After Bennett was taken into custody, deputies reportedly found a Glock 9mm handgun inside the vehicle.
Bennett has been charged with: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; possession of a firearm by a felon; reckless driving with wanton disregard; carrying concealed gun; resisting a public officer; and possession of a controlled substance inside a jail facility.
(Note: The press release issued by the sheriff’s office on Oct. 2 does not include any information pertaining to the drug charge.)
Bennett was booked into the Richmond County Jail on a $110,000 secured bond. However, it appears he has since been released. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 17 on the criminal charges and multiple traffic infractions.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Bennett has previously been convicted in Anson County on several felony charges.
The first time was in 2005 for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. His probation on the drug charge was revoked at the beginning of the following year and he was incarcerated for about 5.5 months.
Less than three months following his release, Bennett was convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and assault by pointing a gun, the latter being a misdemeanor. This time, he spent nearly six years behind bars.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
