MILLENNIUM – A local man attempted to elude a Hertford County Deputy Sheriff near here early Saturday morning.

His effort failed.

Joe Craig, 37, of 128 Charlie Powell Road, Murfreesboro, currently sits in the Hertford County Jail, waiting on his court case today (Tuesday) in Winton following his arrest after a high-speed chase on NC 11.

Craig stands charged with felony flee to elude arrest, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked, failure to heed blue lights or siren, speeding 103 mph in a 55 mph zone, littering, and failing to stop at a stop sign.

He was jailed under a $40,000 secured bond.

According to Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes, Craig was operating a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro at around 4 a.m. on Saturday in the area of NC 42 near Bonner Bridge Road. Meanwhile, Hertford County Deputy John Michael Timberlake was on patrol in the same area.

“Deputy Timberlake observed the Camaro turning right off of NC 42 West onto Bonner Bridge Road without giving a proper turn signal,” said Hayes. “Deputy Timberlake activated his blue lights and attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle for what was simply a minor infraction.”

However, Hayes said the driver of the Camaro (later identified as Craig) failed to stop.

“He (Craig) actually sped up, reaching speeds of up to 85 mph on Bonner Bridge Road,” the Sheriff said. “The driver then failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Bonner Bridge Road and NC 11, at which time the driver of the Camaro turned left.”

With Timberlake in pursuit, the chase exceeded 100 mph on NC 11 South.

“At that time, Deputy Timberlake noticed several objects being thrown from the Camaro,” Hayes said.

The chase, Hayes said, ended when the Camaro finally pulled onto the shoulder of the road near the intersection of NC 11 and Millennium Road. By that time, Hertford County Deputy Kimani Stanley had arrived for back-up.

Hayes stated that both deputies searched Craig’s vehicle, discovering 10.62 grams of marijuana, a set of digital scales, sandwich bags, and $2,580 in U.S. currency.

The Sheriff believed there was additional marijuana inside the vehicle prior to the stop, but was thrown out by Craig during the pursuit.

“I thank both deputies for a job well done,” Hayes said. “The main thing was that no one was hurt during the pursuit, to include innocent motorists.

“This is a prime example of what we face as law enforcement officers. What started out as an attempt to stop a vehicle for breaking a minor traffic law turned into something more. We never know what we’ll face each and every day that we are on duty,” Hayes concluded.