I-77 Chase Leads to Salisbury Arrest

A high-speed pursuit that began on Interstate 77 early Sunday morning ended with an arrest in Salisbury, according to authorities.

On Sunday, December 28, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Mooresville Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on I-77 after observing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was also believed to be racing two other vehicles on the interstate prior to the attempted stop.

When the officer initiated the traffic stop, one of the vehicles failed to stop and fled northbound on I-77. The officer pursued the fleeing vehicle, which exited the interstate at Exit 49A in Statesville and continued eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 into the Salisbury city limits.

The pursuit ended after the vehicle turned onto Lash Drive, where the driver was taken into custody with assistance from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene.

The driver was identified as 20-year-old Anthony Velasquez Alonzo of Statesville. He was charged with Felony Fleeing to Elude along with additional traffic-related charges.

Alonzo was taken before a magistrate and issued a $50,000 secured bond.