Man accused of leading chase from Salisbury to Charlotte could be linked to weekend murder: Police

SALISBURY/ CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A man wanted for several different charges has been arrested after a multi-county chase, according to the Salisbury Police Department.

Around 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 14, detectives say they found 25-year-old Kevin Antonio Smith Jr. at a grocery store on West Jake Alexander Boulevard. When they tried to arrest him, Smith took off in a vehicle, which led to a chase through Rowan, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg Counties and involved multiple agencies.

Troopers say they took over as the lead agency in Cabarrus County as they chased Smith down Interstate 85 and into Charlotte. Smith jumped from the vehicle on Grier Road, near Newell-Hickory Grove Road, and was caught after a quick foot chase.

No one was hurt in the incident, and no children were in the vehicle. Authorities say Smith got up to 130 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone and is facing several charges related to the chase:

• Two counts of Felony elude Arrest
• Two counts of Possession of a stolen vehicle
• Fail to Heed light or siren
• Speeding 130 mph in a 65 mph zone
• Reckless driving
• Driving While License Revoked
• Fictitious tag
• Fail to wear seat belt

Smith is reportedly a suspect in a Salisbury murder from Aug. 10, according to troopers. Salisbury Police did confirm that they need to speak with him about the fatal shooting on Rowan Mill Road that left an 80-year-old man dead and a girl in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, police have not named Smith as a suspect in the murder.

He also has warrants for the following in Rowan, Iredell and Forsyth Counties:

• Fictitious Information to Officer
• Driving While License Revoked
• Four counts of First-Degree Kidnapping
• Robbery with Dangerous Weapon
• Misdemeanor Child Abuse
• Misdemeanor Hit and Run
• Reckless Driving to Endanger
• Neglect Child Abuse With Serious Body Injury
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession with Intent to Sell And Deliver Sch II
• Trafficking in opium or Heroin
• Felony Possession of Cocaine
• Possession with Intent to Sell and Delivery Cocaine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Smith is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond due to violating his pre-trial release.

Anyone with information on Smith’s cases is asked to call SPD Sgt. McElveen at 704-216-2710.

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