Traffic stop in Wilmington leads to police chase, three people charged
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –A traffic stop led to three people facing charges after a police chase and subsequent crash on Monday night.
According to Wilmington Police Department, officers pulled over a vehicle at 1500 East Lake Shore Drive with three people inside. Police say they asked all three to step outside the car when they saw drug paraphernalia in plain sight.
The two passengers complied, but the driver, identified as James McLaurin, 55, of Wilmington, drove off.
Police chased McLaurin to the 2300 block of Carolina Beach Road but say they called off the chase for safety reasons.
Shortly afterward, the vehicle was involved in a crash at S. 17th St. and George Anderson Dr.
McLaurin was taken into custody at the crash site.
The two passengers, Nya Franks, 25, and Robert Boone, 69, were arrested at the initial traffic stop location. Both Franks and Boone face charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Information about their bond was not available.
McLaurin is charged with Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Larceny of Motor Vehicle, First Degree Kidnapping, Breaking or Entering Motor Vehicle and Driving While Impaired. His combined bond is set at $325,000.
