HAMLET — A man suspected in a home invasion is facing multiple charges after reportedly leading deputies on a chase over the weekend.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, investigators with the Community Impact Team were patrolling around Hamlet when one noticed a vehicle with a “fictitious” registration plate.
Although the sheriff’s office says the driver, identified as 27-year-old Jayquan Levare Foster of Rockingham, failed to stop when the investigator attempted a traffic stop, a press release states that Foster opened the driver-side door and partially exit “as if to flee on foot” before closing the door and taking off.
A pursuit was initiated, which lasted about two miles before Foster reportedly drove the vehicle into a ditch, got out and ran.
During the foot chase, Foster allegedly turned and pointed a handgun at the pursuing deputies, then turned again and continued running. The deputy reportedly lost sight of Foster and went back to the crash scene.
RCSO K-9 Poseidon was reportedly brought in to track Foster.
The sheriff’s office says witnesses told investigators that Foster had gotten into another vehicle and left the scene.
RCSO patrol units reportedly found a vehicle matching the description given by the witnesses on East Broad Avenue and stopped it in the Goodwill parking lot. The initial investigator responded and identified one of the occupants as Foster, according to the sheriff’s office.
During a search of the vehicle, investigators reportedly found two firearms — a Glock 19 Gen 4handgun believed to be the one pointed during the foot chase (Glock 19 Gen 4) and a Diamondback .556/.223-caliber rifle reportedly used during a home invasion and robbery the previous day in Hamlet.
Investigators also reportedly found 53.6 grams of fentanyl-pressed pills and 6 grams of marijuana.
Foster was arrested and charged by the sheriff’s office with: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; trafficking in opium or heroin; assault on a government official; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and carrying a concealed gun.
Court records show Foster was also charged with a domestic violence protective order violation for having a deadly weapon, and five traffic violations.
The Hamlet Police Department has charged Foster with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. That case is still under investigation.
Jail records show Foster is being held on a combined $850,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 12 on all criminal charges.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office say the other occupant of the vehicle was not charged.
"The cooperation of our citizens in providing information highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and our communities in reducing crime in our county," Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a press release.
"The outcome in this situation could have been very different when the suspect pointed his gun at my deputies,” Gulledge continued. “I am incredibly grateful that no injuries occurred during this incident. I would also like to express my appreciation to the community for their support and cooperation in this case.”
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show no prior convictions for Foster, however online court records appear to show he pleaded guilty in 2018 to driving after consuming alcohol under the age of 21.
He has been charged several times before, but records show those charges were dismissed.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
