By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — An observant deputy notices a man driving who should not be and drives to the man’s house. The man is seen heading into the woods, not before he ditches a marijuana pipe.
Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy J.J. Naves was traveling along Gheen Road, in the northwestern part of the county, around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday when he noticed someone driving whose license he knew was revoked.
He knew the driver as Norman Blackwell. The deputy drove to Blackwell’s home to a stir of dust as if a vehicle had just been driven from the driveway, said Capt John Sifford.
Deputy Naves walked a short distance to church nearby and saw Blackwell running towards a wooded area.
Naves ordered Blackwell to stop. He did.
Norman Reid Blackwell, 61, of 1270 Gheen Road, Salisbury, was issued a citation for driving while license revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The deputy called for assistance when Blackwell’s son showed up as did other bystanders. A canine was called to the scene when it was discovered Blackwell ditched the keys to the car he left parked at the church. When the dog found the keys, he also found a metallic smoking pipe.
The vehicle parked at the church had a man sitting in the passenger’s side. He was not cited or arrested.
From 1980 to 1989, Blackwell had a number of driving while impaired convictions and driving without a license.
In 2001, 2002, and 2005, he was convicted of driving while impaired.
Blackwell is expected to appear in district court in August.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.