RICHMOND COUNTY — Authorities reported several arrests over Easter weekend in Richmond County, including an impaired driving case, a vehicle pursuit and a trespassing incident, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
A Texas man was arrested early April 4 after deputies responded to a report of a possibly impaired driver in the area of U.S. Highway 1 and N.C. Highway 177. The caller stated the driver “had nearly struck several road signs and was unable to maintain their lane.”
Deputies said they located a white GMC Sierra traveling southbound and observed it swerving before initiating a traffic stop. The driver initially refused to roll down the window and only complied after several lawful orders.
During the encounter, deputies reported a strong odor of alcohol. The driver, identified as Jonathan Salas, 30, of Kirby, Texas, “exhibited slurred speech and red, glassy eyes.”
When a second deputy arrived, Salas resisted attempts to remove him from the vehicle by bracing himself against the steering wheel and center console, according to the report. He was later detained, and a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper conducted an impaired driving investigation.
Salas refused to submit to a breath test. He was charged with resisting a public officer and turned over to the State Highway Patrol for suspected impaired driving.
In a separate case, a Rockingham man was arrested Easter after deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle at East Rockingham Park.
According to a media release, a deputy approaching the vehicle observed the driver, identified as Azaydrien Malieck Craig, 19, reaching into the back seat and retrieving what was later determined to be a firearm. As deputies issued commands for him to show his hands, Craig drove away, nearly striking a deputy and prompting a pursuit.
Authorities said the chase continued onto Hannah Pickett Avenue and Safie 5th Street, where Craig allegedly ran a stop sign and exceeded the posted speed limit. He later failed to stop at another intersection before striking a telephone pole while attempting to turn onto Midway Road.
Craig continued driving before stopping on Leware Street, where he exited the vehicle and complied with deputies’ commands. He was taken into custody without further incident.
He was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce and possession of a firearm by a felon. Craig was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond. His court date is scheduled for April 23, 2026.
In another incident, a Dobbins Heights woman was arrested April 3 after deputies responded to a trespassing report on Waymon Chapel Road in Hamlet.
The caller told deputies the suspect, identified as Maranda Miles, 38, ran from a vacant trailer into nearby woods. Deputies later observed a white sedan slowing along the road before pulling into a driveway.
When deputies attempted to arrest Miles, she resisted, pulling away and cursing, according to the report.
Miles was taken into custody and transported to the Richmond County Magistrate’s Office, where she was charged with possession of methamphetamine, resisting a public officer and driving while license revoked. She was also served with an outstanding warrant for a school attendance violation.
She was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $20,000 secured bond. Her court date is scheduled for May 28, 2026.