Rape suspect target of chase

DOBSON — More details have emerged regarding authorities’ recent vehicle chase of a man, who as it turns out had reason to run — being wanted on rape and other sex-related offenses.

James Alvin McBride, 57, of 1240 Newsome St., Mount Airy, was jailed under a $2 million secured bond after being apprehended during the June 13 incident that began in the county and culminated inside the city limits.

The arrest occurred after McBride had jumped from his vehicle and run on foot along the Granite City Greenway.

McBride was found to be the subject of numerous outstanding warrants for arrest which had been issued by the Mount Airy Police Department on charges including two counts of second-degree forcible rape, according to information from Surry County Sheriff Steve Hiatt.

The suspect also was served after his arrest with outstanding warrants for two counts of second-degree forcible sex offense filed in Mount Airy.

McBride additionally is facing a long list of felony and other charges stemming from the chase.

It unfolded around 10:40 a.m. on June 13, when a deputy with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol in the area of East Pine Street near the intersection of McBride Road at Flat Rock.

After observing a vehicle displaying a fictitious registration plate, the deputy activated the blue lights and siren in an attempt to stop it, which the driver ignored.

The pursuit progressed along Lovers Lane and eventually onto N.C. 89 and South Main Street into the Mount Airy city limits.

At one point, the driver pulled into H.B. Rowe Environmental Park on Hamburg Street and jumped out of the vehicle.

The vehicle continued moving, causing property damage.

McBride was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit by multiple deputies along the greenway nearby.

He is charged stemming from the chase with felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, failing to heed lights and/or siren, reckless driving, driving while license revoked, displaying a fictitious registration plate, no insurance;

Also, failure to register a vehicle with the DMV, no seatbelt, failure to stop at an erect stop sign, driving left of center, resisting a public officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and damage to property.

McBride is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on July 29.