N.C. Police Nab Racing Suspect when Traffic Foils His Getaway
What to know
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A 20-year-old suspect was arrested after traffic on Interstate 85 trapped him as he fled police following a reported street takeover in Belmont.
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Police said the driver attempted to hit an officer before fleeing the takeover, and a chase ensued that was later called off for safety.
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The suspect was eventually found stuck in traffic, trying to change his vehicle's license plate
The often frustrating traffic on Interstate 85 played directly into the hands of police officers when it ensnared a fleeing street racing suspect, according to investigators in North Carolina.
The arrest was made just after midnight Sunday, Nov. 9, as the driver sat in traffic near Belmont, police said in a news release.
“The Belmont Police Department responded to a report of a street takeover at 192 Woodlawn Street,” police said.
“Officers saw several vehicles performing dangerous stunts, including donuts and other reckless maneuvers that came dangerously close to injuring pedestrians. To protect public safety, officers moved in to disperse the crowd.”
It was then that a black Nissan 370Z “attempted to strike one of our officers and fled the scene,” officers said.
A pursuit was initiated but was called off when officers determined the suspect’s driving posed a threat to other motorists, police said.
“Shortly after, the same vehicle was seen returning to the area, leading to a second pursuit initiated by officers with the Mount Holly Police Department,” police said. “The vehicle was later observed stuck in traffic on I-85 northbound near Mile Marker 27, where officers located the suspect attempting to change the car’s registration plate.”
Lennon Osavaldo Dominguez Morgan, 20, was arrested, and his vehicle was impounded, police say. He was charged with:
- Felony fleeing to elude arrest
- Reckless driving to endanger
- Felony street takeover
- Speeding
“This type of reckless and illegal behavior has no place in our community,” Belmont Police Chief Boyce Falls said in the news release. “These street takeovers put innocent lives at risk, endanger our officers, and disrupt our neighborhoods.”
Belmont is about a 15-mile drive west from uptown Charlotte.
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