More than $32,000 in cash, a quantity of marijuana and two shotguns were confiscated after a man fleeing from deputies allegedly hit a patrol car, causing it to crash into another vehicle.
Rondrell Santana Leach, 30, of Rowland, was held under $41,000 secured bond after the New Year’s Eve incident. He is charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle for drug activities; fleeing to elude arrest, three counts of assault on an officer with a deadly weapon, two counts of damaging government property, paraphernalia, and carrying a concealed weapon.
On Dec. 31, Columbus County Sheriff’s Deputies were conducting a license checking station at the intersection of Seven Creeks Highway and River Road, Tabor City, according to a CCSO press release.
Leach was driving a Ford F150 when he stopped for the checking station. Deputies immediately smelled the aroma of marijuana emitting from the truck. Leach provided deputies with his driver license and vehicle registration, then fled the scene, traveling down River Road.
Deputies gave chase, and tire deflation devices were deployed in the area of Swamp Fox Highway and Ramsey Ford Road. Leach’s vehicle hit the stop sticks but he continued driving on Swamp Fox Highway for some distance before he drove into a ditch, then struck a patrol vehicle causing it to strike another patrol vehicle. Leach’s vehicle then crossed over the road and ran in the ditch on the opposite side of the road where it finally stopped.
Leach was assisted from the vehicle and arrested. Deputies located marijuana, two concealed shotguns, digital scales, packaging materials, and more than $32,000 in cash. The evidence and vehicle were seized.
No one was injured in the chase.
