On Thursday morning June 23, 2022 at 3:00 a.m., Deputies received an alert that a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck was reported to be driving at a high rate of speed on W. Webb Ave. in Burlington. The truck was reportedly heading westbound towards Elon.
Available Deputies began heading to the intersection of N.C. 87 and University Dr. Deputies were then alerted that an Elon Campus Police Officer was attempting to stop the suspect vehicle on W. Haggard Ave. but the driver refused to stop. Two Deputies relocated to University Dr. and W. Haggard Ave. and observed the suspect vehicle which came through the intersection at a high rate of speed.
Deputies took over the pursuit and attempted a PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) which was unsuccessful. The driver rammed a Sheriff’s Office Patrol car and continued to flee into Guilford County. While in Guilford Co., the paved portion of the road ended becoming gravel. Deputies ended the pursuit.
There were no injuries. Both Sheriff’s Office patrol cars sustained damage.
On Thursday June 24, 2022, Deputies continued the investigation of the suspect vehicle. It was learned that Elon Campus Police had attempted to stop a vehicle earlier in the week which matched the description of the suspect vehicle.
As the investigation continued, Deputies located the vehicle and the driver on James Toney Dr. in Elon. The suspect, Tyler Manuel Lopez, was taken into custody and the vehicle was seized.
Name: Tyler Manuel Lopez W/M/26
Address: 410 James Toney Dr., Elon, N.C.
Charges: 1ct: Felony Flee/Elude Arrest With Motor Vehicle
1ct: Felony Assault With Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
1ct: Fail to Heed Light/Siren
1ct: Speeding 110 in a 55 MPH Zone
1ct: Reckless Driving to Endanger Person/Property
1ct: Fail to Stop at Red Light
1ct: Driving While License Revoked
1ct: Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property
1ct: Felony Flee/Elude Arrest With Motor Vehicle (Elon Campus Police)
Bond: $50,000 secured
