Suspect leads Moore deputies on chase, crashes, flees

September 10, 2025

UPDATE: Records from the Moore County Detention Center show Lo-ren Ellis, 46, of Aberdeen, is facing a total of twelve charges following the pursuit.

Ellis is facing the following charges: Possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, possession of Schedule II controlled substance, possession of firearm by felon, flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, speeding, fictitious or altered title, registration card or tag, reckless driving, wanton disregard, resisting a public officer, communicating threats, failure to stop at stop sign/flashing red light, failure to stop at steady red light and assault by pointing a gun.

A man was taken into custody Wednesday night after leading deputies on a brief chase before crashing.

The pursuit began around 7:30 p.m. on N.C. Highway 73 near U.S. Highway 15-501 in the Eastwood community. A unit with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office reportedly initiated a traffic stop, but the driver of the Mercury Grand Marquis instead sped up and began leading the deputy on a chase.

Authorities on scene told Sandhills Sentinel that as the suspect turned south onto U.S. 15-501, additional units responded to assist. One unit was near the traffic circle and preparing to deploy spike strips in an attempt to stop the suspect.

As the chase reached Lea Road across from Tommy’s Crown station, the suspect attempted to make a right turn onto Lea Road, but the turn was too sharp, and he instead left the roadway and crashed into a tree.

The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area and crossed a creek, but was caught and detained within minutes.

Authorities said no information on charges was immediately available, though a firearm was seized and the suspect was in custody.

Traffic on U.S. 15-501 was briefly slowed due to the heavy law enforcement presence.

Defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.