Columbus County Sheriff speaks out following viral arrest
COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Sheriff is speaking out following an arrest Monday night in Chadbourn.
Around 8:30 pm, a deputy attempted to pull over Deon Taplin for allegedly running a stop sign.
An arrest warrant says Taplin drove away, with deputies and Chadbourn officers chasing him.
Taplin later hit another deputy’s truck, causing it to flip over.
3 deputies inside the truck suffered injuries.
The chase continued and ended in Chadbourn after Taplin crashed.
A video of Taplin’s arrest, shared on social media, allegedly shows deputies and officers using force to subdue and arrest Taplin.
At one point, a person in plain clothes appears to kick Taplin while he’s on the ground.
Sheriff Bill Rogers said his office would investigate the incident, along with the State Bureau of Investigation.
“It is our goal to be transparent in this situation for all parties involved and I have ordered an internal investigation from my department of this incident,” Rogers said. “Also, the SBI has come in to assist in an investigation of an outside agency with its department, along with the DA’s office.”
Taplin faces several charges including:
- eluding arrest with a motor vehicle
- assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict serious injury
- two counts of assault with a dealing weapon with intent to kill
- driving with a revoked license
- and failure to stop at a stop sign/flashing light.
He is currently being held without bond.
