RFP Staff
♦ Sources in the Salisbury Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report that Dejuan Cortez China, 19, from Charlotte, was spotted with a yet unidentified accomplice by a Salisbury Police officer called to the parking lot on Marriot Circle between the Courtyard at the Marriott and the Holiday Inn Express hotels. The officer was patrolling the area due to a rash of vehicle break-ins at the two hotels. When China and the other man became alert to the patrol car’s presence, they immediately sprinted to the Jeep Cherokee and sped off toward Southbound I-85. The officer doggedly stayed right on their tail and initiated his blue lights.
Exit after exit sped by at high-speed. The officer persisted. Finally the pursuit ended just past exit 68 into China Grove. The Jeep Cherokee went of the road and crashed. China and his accomplice allegedly fled the disabled vehicle. Rowan County Sheriffs Office deputies soon arrived on the scene. Their K-9 picked up the track of China and soon had him in handcuffs for the long ride back to Salisbury and booking. The other man remains at large. A stolen handgun was found in the disabled vehicle.
China was charged with fleeing to elude arrest (felony), possession of a stolen vehicle (felony), possession of a stolen firearm (felony) and 2 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle (felony). Under a secured $30,000 bond, China is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. His first court appearance will be Wednesday May 17th.
Dejuan Cortez China:
Location 120 Marriott Circle, Salisbury, N.C.:
Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect a reward of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
