A 28-year-old man from Kernersville was apprehended on June 6 after fleeing the Aberdeen Police during a traffic stop on U.S. 1 near Poplar Street.
The case began on April 27 when Aberdeen officers attempted to pull Austin Renegar’s vehicle over for failing to display headlights after sunset, fictitious tags, and suspicious activity.
“Aberdeen officers initiated emergency equipment, but the vehicle failed to stop, began invasive maneuvers, and increased speeds,” said the Aberdeen Police Department in a news advisory. “Aberdeen officers made attempts to stop the vehicle, but discontinued the pursuit as the vehicle neared the traffic circle at 15-501.”
The 911 call center received an emergency alert of a car crash notification from an iPhone near the traffic circle. Pinehurst Police Department and Moore County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in the woods and the female passenger nearby. She was taken to Moore Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
“Officers located a cellphone in the vehicle, which was seized for evidence,” said the news advisory. “Officers later began reviewing video surveillance from local businesses and obtained video of the driver; a search warrant was also executed on the cellphone.”
On May 11, the driver was identified as Renegar, and warrants were obtained on him for felony flee/elude arrest, misdemeanor reckless driving, misdemeanor speeding, misdemeanor aggressive driving, misdemeanor fictitious tag, misdemeanor no liability insurance, misdemeanor no registration, misdemeanor driving while license revoked, fail to stop at steady red light, and fail to burn headlamps.
Attempts were made to serve Renegar, but he was not located in Moore County.
On June 6, Renegar was located in Forsyth County. He was arrested and taken before a Forsyth County magistrate, where he was given a $10,000 secured bond.
Feature photo: Austin Renegar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Photo via Aberdeen Police Department.
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*Aberdeen Police Department press release
