Suspect chase ends in crash on U.S. 70
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 16, 2015 1:46 PM
Two men injured in a crash at U.S. Highway 70 East and North Spence Avenue at 12:30 a.m. today told police they were chasing a black SUV driven by the man who had just robbed them.
A suspect has been detained, the Goldsboro Police Department said.
According to a police report, Tamarcus Shaquan Ellis, 25, of South William Street, and a passenger -- so far identified only as "Mr. Maye" -- suffered minor injuries after losing control of their vehicle and striking two other cars and a guardrail. The damage to the guardrail, owned by the N.C. Department of Transportation, is estimated on the report at $1,000
"Mr. Ellis and a passenger, a Mr. Maye, chased after a black SUV BMW, and they got into a wreck," Maj. Michael West said.
Ellis told police who responded to the crash that he was chasing after the man who had just robbed and shot at him, the report said.
West confirmed Ellis claimed he had been robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Applebee's located at North Spence Avenue, but he could not verify any shots had been fired.
Following the robbery, Ellis and Maye gave chase in an attempt to get the license plate of the suspect vehicle to give to the 911 dispatcher, the report said.
According to the report, witnesses said Ellis and the SUV he was chasing were traveling at 80 to 90 mph and passing vehicles on the left by driving in the median. Ellis overcorrected at one point, came back onto the roadway and struck two other cars. Only Ellis and Maye were injured.
"Mr. Ellis and Mr. Maye were transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. Both of them were treated and released," West said.
Patrol officers located the black BMW a short time later and detained the suspect.
"He was positively ID'd by the victim, so I would imagine charges will be pending," West said.
Ellis has been cited for failure to reduce speed and careless and reckless driving.