ASHEBORO NC – Police say they located 72 grams of meth after a vehicle chase and manhunt between Climax and Julian last month, and now two people are facing charges in connection to the incident.
According to a statement by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on June 5, 2021, one of their deputies tried to stop a car on Ramseur Julian Rd., near Sandy Creek Church Rd. Police say the driver wouldn’t pull over and started to lead deputies on a pursuit.
During that chase the vehicle turned left onto Randolph Church Rd. going towards NC 22 and came to an abrupt stop near the intersection of Holder Farm Rd when a male subject, jumped out of the front passenger side of the car and ran on foot before the car took off again. When a deputy set up to deploy spike strips in the area of NC 22 and Randolph Church Rd. the car stopped in the road and a female exited from the driver’s seat and ran on foot into the woods. A backseat passenger was detained.
Police say they were able to set up a perimeter and conducted a manhunt that led to them locating and arresting the female driver who they identified as Lacey Nicole Wright. Wright was taken to a local hospital for evaluation by EMS. Police were not able to locate the male passenger who bailed earlier.
In a search of the car, the Sherriff’s Office stated they located a trafficking amount of methamphetamine (72.4 grams total) as well as drug paraphernalia.
Police identified the male who fled from the vehicle as Eugene Cleve Staley, Jr. On July 3, 2021, Staley was arrested by Asheboro Police Department in their jurisdiction and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was served his outstanding warrants in connection to the chase and another outstanding warrant for Misdemeanor Simple Assault. He was given an $80,000 secured bond and a first appearance was set for July 6, 2021, in Randolph County District Court.
Eugene Cleve Staley, Jr.
Charges
- Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
- Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Resisting Public Officer
- Misdemeanor Simple Assault (Warrant)
Bond
$80,000 secured bond
The driver, Lacey Nicole Wright, was arrested on June 10, 2021, and taken to the Randolph County Detention Center where she was served the warrants for her part in the chase. She was given a $15,000 unsecured bond and a first appearance was set for June 11, 2021, in Randolph County District Court.
Lacey Nicole Wright
Charges:
- Felony Flee to Elude Arrest by Motor Vehicle
- Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
- Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Distribution of Controlled Substance
- Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Misdemeanor Resisting Public Officer
- Driving Left of Center
Bond:
$15,000 unsecured bond
Header Photo Credit: (Scott P / Acme News Archive) / Mugshots Credit: Randolph County Sherriff’s Office