By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man who attempted to avoid a checkpoint and called himself “Jack Johnson,” was arrested Monday morning, deputies said.
About 3 a.m. at a checkpoint on Mooresville Road, deputies watched a Chevrolet Malibu and a Honda van quickly turn onto John Rainey Road, a dead-end street.
Deputies followed the two vehicles and spoke to Christopher Darnell Pharr, who called himself “Jack Johnson” at first until deputies told them they recognized him from previous encounters.
Pharr passed a field sobriety test, but after patting down Pharr, deputies found just more than 5 grams or .18 ounces of marijuana in a plastic bag in his right front pants pocket, according to the arrest report.
Pharr, who told police he lives on Statesville Boulevard, also had active warrants on him after officers checked a police database.
He was charged with probation violation; resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer; driving while license revoked; and simple possession of marijuana.
He was placed under a $4,500 bond.
The driver of the van, Amber Nicole Austin, of 136 Geiger Lane, was charged on citation for drug paraphernalia.
Deputies said they found plastic smoking straws, scissors and a Brillo pad in the car.
She was released at the scene.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.
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