• Pair was wanted for shooting, robbery.
Two suspects wanted for attempted murder in Brunswick County led deputies on a chase through Hallsboro early Friday morning.
The chase ended when the suspects fled from their still-moving vehicle and it crashed into a home on Thurman Road.
Rodney Fidel McGill, 24, of Redbug Road, Hallsboro, and Brandy Marie Cowart, 30, of Wilmington, allegedly fled from a license checkpoint at Honey Hill Road and Sam Potts Highway.
Deputies were running a license checkpoint at Honey Hill and Sam Potts when McGill and Cowart, in Cowart’s automobile, approached the checkpoint. McGill made a sharp turn onto Edna Creech Road, then turned onto Flynn Cemetery at a high rate of speed, the report said.
McGill then fled down Sam Potts to Red Hill and onto U.S. 74-76 East, with deputies in pursuit. The chase reached speeds of 115 miles per hour before McGill turned onto Hallsboro Road South and headed for Thurman Road, a dirt road between Red Bug and Hallsboro Road South.
Cowart and McGill jumped from their vehicle, leaving it in gear, the sheriff’s office said. The car crashed into a porch and carport, causing significant damage.
Cowart fell into a water-filled ditch while she was being arrested. McGill was captured in a wooded area.
McGill faces charges of felony fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving, resisting an officer, and misdemeanor marijuana possession in Columbus. He was wanted in Brunswick County for attempted murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. His bond was set at $11,000 for the local charges, and $1 million in Brunswick.
Cowart was charged with aiding and abetting fleeing to elude arrest and resisting a public officer here. She was also charged in Brunswick County for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, armed robbery, and attempted first degree murder. Her bond was set at a total of $1.26 million.
Navassa Police Chief Darryll DeCotis said Cowart and McGill are alleged to have shot and robbed a man in the Brunswick County town on Thursday. The victim was shot in both legs at close range, and is expected to recover. The assault apparently occurred during a robbery.
Cowart has an extensive criminal history, with 46 different charges ranging from drug possession to probation/parole violations.
