Trio arrested after traffic stop leads to chase through Rowan County

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies say three men have been arrested after a routine traffic stop led to a chase through Rowan County.

It happened Tuesday while the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling in the Spencer/East Spencer area.

Deputies said they pulled over a two-tone Ford Crown Victoria with four people inside for a routine traffic violation. During the stop, a police K-9 was alerted to the smell or presence of drugs in the car, according to officials.

When deputies told the driver that the car was going to be searched, the vehicle took off.

Deputies chased the suspects through Spencer, into the county and into Salisbury. During the chase, authorities said a gun was thrown from the car.

CMPD: Driver arrested after hitting 2 officers with car, leading police on chase CMPD: Driver arrested after hitting 2 officers with car, leading police on chase

Eventually, the car stopped on Statesville Boulevard and all suspects were detained. Deputies searched the car and found a small bag of what appeared to be cocaine as well as another gun.

Officials said three of the four people in the car were arrested and charged -- Damian Bell, 27, Ahmad Adams, 34, and Cedric Matchett II, 29.

Bell was charged with felony fleeing to elude. Bell has a previous felony conviction for larceny, among several other misdemeanor convictions.

Adams was charged with felony possession of cocaine. Adams has previous felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon as well as robbery.

Matchett was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon.

Deputies said Matchett was arrested on May 1, released on a secured bond and is now facing probation violations. He has several previous felony convictions, among other misdemeanor convictions.

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