Man faces vehicle theft, DWI, eluding arrest, hit-run, other charges

A homeless man hit most of the marks on a local crime checklist last Monday, including motor vehicle theft, speeding to elude arrest, hit and run causing damage, no license and drug charges — while allegedly driving while impaired.

Dylan Jeremiah Pozo, 25, is being held in the Surry County Jail without privilege of bond on 12 different charges.

These cover a crime spree that began with Pozo stealing a pickup, being pursued by police and eventually captured on foot in the Penn Street area, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

The 1999 Chevrolet GMT-400, said to be worth $8,000, was reported stolen early Monday morning from the home of owner Christopher Frank Alechko on West Church Street.

City officers subsequently pursued and attempted to stop the vehicle, with Pozo failing to yield to blue lights and sirens. Police records indicate that this occurred on South Andy Griffith Parkway and progressed to the area of Penn and Newsome streets.

Pozo did not stop after causing damages with the vehicle at various locations in that vicinity, resulting in six counts of hit and run/leaving the scene.

The damages totaled $3,800, including to a fence, landscaping at two locations, a clothesline and a trash can.

Damage victims include Patrick Robinson of Culbert Street; Silvia Hayden, Lillian Holder and Nicole Hooker of Penn Street and the city of Mount Airy.

Once the vehicle pursuit ended, Pozo continued on foot from Penn Street toward Banner Street, and subsequently was taken into custody.

A routine search after his arrest turned up marijuana, leading to charges of simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The theft of a motor vehicle and speeding to elude arrest charges are felonies, with Pozo also facing a misdemeanor speeding violation.

He is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on July 15.