Tabor City Police recovered drugs, a stolen vehicle, two firearms, and a suspect who didn’t want to get dressed after a foot chase June 16.
Shontia Russ, 26, of 107 March St., Tabor City, was charged with breaking and entering, armed robbery, larceny of a firearm, larceny of a motor vehicle, and multiple counts of failure to appear, according to jail reports. Her bond was set at $135,000 secured. Russ’ also used the first name Shantia on court documents.
The report said that Michael Shane Wright called TCPD after Wright confronted a suspect he described as a tall, thin black male with dreadlocks inside his mother’s home. The suspect allegedly drew a handgun, and took Wright’s van.
Lt. Gary Lewis was responding to reports of a suspicious person on Sanders Street around 12:30 p.m. Multiple witnesses described the prowler, according to the report. The subject appeared to be “casing vacant home,” according to the report.
Lewis was en route to the armed robbery call when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the stolen van on Leggett Street. As he stopped near the van, the report said, a witness said he had followed the vehicle , and a tall, skinny black male with dreadlocks fled the scene carrying a “multicolored bag.” The individual ran toward March Street, the report said, and Lewis headed after the suspect on foot. Another witness advised that the suspect had fled toward 107 March Street.
Lewis said that when officers approached the residence and knocked, Teisha Bellamy first said she was alone, then said her “sister” was in the residence. Lewis noted in the report that Bellamy’s female companion, Russ, matched the description of the robbery suspect. Bellamy allegedly replied that Russ had run through the house “acting crazy,” and she did not know where she was. Bellamy gave officers permission to search the property.
After calling out to Russ several times, Lewis’ report said officers called her cell phone, and followed the ringing to a bathroom. Russ was in the bathroom and said she was in shower, the report said. Russ refused to leave the bathroom, at which time another officer opened the door, the report said. Russ was naked, and argued with officers about getting dressed. She was handcuffed and Bellamy put a shirt on her, the report said.
While Russ was being transported, the report said, she taunted officers by saying they would not find any stolen property in the property. A subsequent search of the home turned up the firearm used in the robbery. Officers also found stolen property, including a handgun, in a vehicle in the driveway. A records check showed the handgun had been reported stolen.
Officers also confiscated a large quantity of prescription drugs from the van.
Russ could face additional charges. The investigation is continuing.
