| November
18, 2004 |
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| Sheriff
Catches Man After Chase; Recovers Meth Lab |
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A Connelly
Springs man is in jail after a Wednesday night car chase with Burke County
Sheriff John T. McDevitt.
The man also faces drug felony charges after
detectives reportedly located an illegal clandestine methamphetamine lab in the
trunk of the man's car.
Christopher Thomas Carpenter (right), 27, of 5831 Kayla's Ridge Road, was observed
leaving his residence at a high rate of speed and running two stop |
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signs, according to McDevitt. |
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| McDevitt said he attempted to stop Carpenter,
who accelerated down Kayla's Ridge Road and onto Rhoney Road with the sheriff
in pursuit. The chase reached speeds of 85 miles per hour on Rhoney Road,
according to McDevitt. |
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| The chase continued to Persimmon Road and Rocky
Ridge Road, where Carpenter drove into a yard and fled on foot into the woods,
stated McDevitt. The man was apprehended by the sheriff approximately 100 yards
from his vehicle. |
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| Detectives responding to the scene searched the
car and found a suspected meth lab inside the trunk. McDevitt said the lab was
smoking and producing dangerous fumes, which the detectives encountered when
they opened the trunk of the vehicle. |
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| The three detectives, Lt. Charles Morris, Robert
Beall, and Chris Marsh were later treated and released at Grace Hospital in
Morganton for possible exposure to phosphene gas fumes. |
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| A .22 calibre handgun was also found in the
passenger area of Carpenter's vehicle, McDevitt said. |
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| South Mountain Fire Department was called to the
scene because of the known volatile nature of the laboratory, which was
reportedly still smoking three hours after its discovery. |
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| McDevitt lamented the perils his officers face
daily with the increase of illegal meth labs, which are growing at an alarming
rate. Numerous clandestine labs have been located in Burke County in recent
months. |
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| "Our officers have had training in
methamphetamine manufacturing, so they know how dangerous these labs are,"
stated McDevitt. "Even with their knowledge, this case shows the unexpected
dangers we face when dealing with illegal drug laboratories. This was the first
time we've sent officers to the hospital because of exposure to fumes, and I
hope it was the last." |
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| Carpenter was charged with felonious manufacture
of methamphetamine, and also felonious speeding to elude arrest. He also faces
misdemeanor charges of running two stop signs, and resisting arrest. He will
have a first court appearance Friday on the felony charges. His bond was
set at $26,500. |
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| Carpenter's court date for the resisting arrest
and stop sign violations was set for December 15 in Burke County District
Court. |
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| ************************************************************** |
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