A North Carolina man allegedly ran from a traffic stop after a deputy spotted an imprint of a handgun near his thigh, leading officers on a foot chase through a wooded area.
The incident happened on Sept. 19 near U.S. 64 and Springfield Road in Rocky Mount, according to the Edgecombe Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. K. Vaughan conducted a traffic stop on a black BMW SUV after seeing the driver, identified as Mr. Wilkins, without a seatbelt.
Wilkins reportedly told Vaughan that he did not have a valid driver’s license and was never issued one. A records check by Vaughan confirmed that and also showed that Wilkins was on federal probation.
Vaughan then noticed what appeared to be the imprint of a handgun through Wilkins’ clothes near his left thigh. Based on Vaughan’s training and experience, he deduced that the imprint was consistent with the barrel of a handgun.
Asked About Guns
Before returning to his patrol vehicle, Vaughan asked Wilkins whether there were any guns or drugs inside. Wilkins reportedly said no.
Wilkins was instructed to get out of the vehicle and proceeded to allegedly resist attempts of Vaughan trying to control his hands. Wilkins allegedly was trying to reach the area where the firearm was, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vaughan repeatedly told Wilkins to stop resisting and displayed his duty weapon. Wilkins was ordered to get on the ground, but allegedly he took off running.
Search Ensues
Rocky Mount Police Officers were called in and helped search the area Wilkins ran off to with a K-9.
While searching, officers reportedly saw Wilkins emerge from a wooded area near the highway. When he saw the officers, he allegedly ran back into the woods.
Wilkins was eventually found about 200 to 300 yards from Crestview Drive, off Springfield Road. By then, Wilkins was no longer wearing the T-shirt he had on during the initial traffic stop and had it draped around his shoulder. No handgun was found on Wilkins.
Wilkins was arrested and charged with resisting, obstructing, or delaying a public officer, having no valid driver’s license, and a seatbelt violation. He was booked into the Edgecombe County Detention Center on a $10,000 secured bond, with a court date set for Nov. 25
Couldn’t Find the Gun
On Sept. 20, deputies returned to the area to conduct another K-9 search for the gun. However, deputies were still unable to find it and instead found a black holster consistent with the one seen on Wilkin’s waistband when he fled, according to the sheriff’s office.
Wilkins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.