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WOODLAND – What started as an attempt to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation turned into a two-county chase on Thursday night.

Woodland Police Chief Eddie Hoggard reported that 40-year-old Todi Donee Whitehead, who resides in the St. John community of Hertford County, faces a slew of charges following his arrest.

Hoggard said he was on routine patrol on Main Street (US 258) shortly before 11 p.m. when he met a vehicle traveling north that was operating above the posted speed limit. Upon activating the blue lights and siren on his patrol car, Hoggard said the suspect vehicle sped off.

The ensuing chase, which also involved Northampton Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Horton, initially turned off US 258 onto Menola Road, crossing into Hertford County. It then turned onto Hebron Church Road and made its way back to US 258, turning left back towards Woodland.

“We did that all over again, off 258 onto Menola Road, then Hebron Church Road, and back onto 258 South,” said Hoggard. “There were times that we exceeded 100 miles per hour.”

Re-entering Woodland, the suspect vehicle turned right onto NC 35 North. The chase ensued through Potecasi, then onto Ashley’s Grove Church Road, to Burnt Bridges Road and eventually back to US 258, again heading towards Woodland.

“When we got back into Woodland, the suspect vehicle turned into the projects (an apartment complex),” Hoggard stated. “The suspect vehicle then ducked behind one of the apartments and it was there that Deputy Horton and myself were able to box it in.”

The driver, later identified as Whitehead, then attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly captured.

Hoggard charged Whitehead with felony flee to elude arrest, driving while license were revoked, two counts of resist/delay/obstruct, open container of alcohol in the passenger area, and possession of drug paraphernalia (not for marijuana).

Whitehead was additionally served an outstanding arrest warrant out of Hertford County for failure to appear in court. There was also an outstanding warrant on file from the State of Virginia on Whitehead. Details of that warrant were unavailable on Friday.

His total bond was $5,500 and he’s scheduled to appear in Northampton County Criminal District Court on Jan. 21 to answer those local charges.

Meanwhile, Hoggard said the vehicle operated by Whitehead was a rental car, which was not rented in Whitehead’s name. It was impounded.

“I would like to thank the assistance I received from the Northampton Sheriff’s Office, the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, and from Police Chief Bracy over in Conway,” Hoggard said. “Teamwork is essential when it comes to working to keep the public safe.”