By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
A Virginia man was given a $500,000 bond on Tuesday after he led deputies on a high-speed chase through Spencer.
According to arrest reports, Rowan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jagger Naves attempted to stop Montae Alexandria Petty, 1101 Lockett Drive, Danville, on Interstate 85 for speeding and a license plate violation when the man accelerated to speeds over 100 mph.
Naves chased Petty’s 2007 white Volkswagen along Long Ferry Road and Salisbury Avenue in Spencer, traveling as fast as 110 mph.
According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Petty lost control of the vehicle and wrecked as he attempted to avoid stop sticks near the intersection of 14th Street and North Main Street in Salisbury.
Petty fled from the car, which was facing southbound in the northbound lane, and began to run, the report said. He jumped a fence in the 1400 block of North Man, but was quickly stopped and taken into custody.
According to the arrest report, deputies found 35 pounds of marijuana in the car. The report said the marijuana had a wholesale value of $35,000.
At least nine law enforcement vehicles were on the scene, including the Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Police and Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
People in the neighborhood reported hearing squealing tires, but by the time they got outside, the man was in custody.
Petty was charged with felony trafficking by possession of marijuana, felony trafficking by transport of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for storing a controlled substance, felony fleeing to elude, possession of drug paraphernalia, no operator’s license, impeding traffic and concealment of a registration plate.
Petty was given a $500,000 bond and was in jail Tuesday afternoon pending his first appearance in court.
Petty was convicted in September 2011 in Virginia for marijuana possession and is on probation for that offense.