Pursuit on Wayne Memorial Drive Ends in Arrest

Wayne County Sheriff’s Office DWI Taskforce

Press Release

Members of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office DWI Taskforce, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division – D Shift – and a member of the Goldsboro Police Department GHSP Traffic Unit were participating in a DWI checkpoint at the intersection of Wayne Memorial Drive and Hare Road.

At approximately 2338 hours a motor vehicle approached, operated by Eric Rowe, and stopped short of the checkpoint on the highway. The Rowe then made a U-turn in an obvious attempt to avoid the checkpoint and Deputy M. A. Bleyer began pursuit. After a few seconds with his lights and siren activated and the suspect refusing to stop, Deputy Bleyer advised over the radio of the pursuit.

Several deputies began in Deputy Bleyer’s direction to aid in the pursuit and apprehension of the Rowe. A short time later, approximately ¼ mile, the suspect turned left into an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Wayne Memorial Drive. Deputy Bleyer attempted to arrest the suspect when he began actively resisting him. This resistance resulted in the suspect gaining in distance from his vehicle as he was moving towards the apartments.

After a struggle Rowe was taken into custody. Located on Rowe’s person was approximately 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a digital scale, and U.S. currency. Inside the interior of Rowe’s vehicle was additional suspected cocaine and medication.

Rowe 42yoa of 102 Johnson Branch Road Goldsboro, was charged with Flee to Elude, Possession of a schedule II controlled substance with the intent to sell and deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, damage to property, expired registration, and for having unsafe tires on the vehicle.