LAURINBURG — Police have arrested a Laurinburg man following a high-speed chase this weekend that damaged a police cruiser.

Antonio Evans, 18, of Laurinburg, was arrested on several traffic violations, fleeing from police and charges related to the damage according to Assistant Police Chief Terry Chavis.

The chase caused damage to two tires on a Dodge Charger and the loss of a body camera, Chavis said.

An officer was patrolling the area of East Covington Street Sunday at 12:22 a.m. when he saw three vehicles involved in a chase.

“Officer Walker observed a white Mercury Marquis traveling down East Vance Street at a high rate of speed and observed two vehicles following the Mercury that appeared to have gunshots in the metal,” Chavis said.

The officer also heard shots being fired, Chavis said.

Walker caught up to the three cars when they stopped in the middle of Covington Street somewhere between the 400 and 600 blocks. At that point, Evans, who police say was driving the Mercury, fled.

“When he activated his blue lights the white Marquis took off,” Chavis said. “The pursuit went well into Robson County reaching speeds of over 100 mph and ended up on highway 71 North in Red Springs where they met a Robeson County deputy who deployed his spike strips.”

The damage to the cruiser’s tires was a result of the stop strips.

Evans was able to pull his car off the road safely but jumped out of the car and fled on foot. The camera was lost during the chase, Chavis said.

Evans was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, driving left of center, exceeding the speed limit, resisting a public officer, no operator’s license, failure to stop for a stop sign, inspection violation, fictitious registration and injury to public property − for the damage to the tires and camera.

It will cost the department $500 to replace the tires and $400 replace the camera. The department hopes to make Evans pay for the damage.

“We have charged the driver for the loss and damage [and are] hoping the court will make him pay for it. If not it will come out of the regular budget,” Chavis said.

Evans was held in the Scotland County Detention Center under a $15,000 secured bond.

The drivers of the other two vehicles were not apprehended.

By Beth Lawrence

Staff reporter

Reach Beth Lawrence 910-506-3169