Durham man faces multiple charges after early morning pursuit in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Durham man is facing several charges after allegedly fleeing from police officers during a traffic stop in Wilmington.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, officers responded around 2:50 a.m. Thursday to the 200 block of North 3rd Street regarding a vehicle operated by a wanted suspect.

Police said officers approached a vehicle owned by 28-year-old Joshua Anthony Perry of Durham, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. As officers ordered him out of the vehicle, Perry allegedly grabbed a large bag of suspected narcotics and concealed it in his waistband while attempting to obscure his face to avoid identification.

An officer accessed the front passenger window in an effort to prevent him from leaving, according to police. Perry then allegedly headed northbound in the vehicle. During the pursuit, officers said Perry threw a bag of suspected narcotics from the vehicle before continuing onto North College Road. For safety reasons, officers terminated the pursuit.

The Pender County Sheriff’s Office later spotted the vehicle and found Perry nearby. Authorities said he was also in possession of a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest. He was taken into custody, and the vehicle was seized as part of the investigation.

Perry is charged with felony speeding to elude arrest with aggravating factors, resisting, delaying and obstructing public officers, reckless driving to endanger, reckless driving with wanton disregard and exceeding the posted speed limit.

He is being held without bond at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.