Police are searching for a Southern Pines man accused of assaulting an officer and fleeing a traffic stop Monday night, according to the Southern Pines Police Department.
Authorities said officers stopped a red Dodge pickup truck driven by Matthew Clarke Hoover, 23, shortly after 10:30 p.m. April 27 on Bethesda Road.
“The roadside investigation led to the discovery of narcotics and paraphernalia, and Hoover became uncooperative and refused to follow lawful commands,” reads a press release from the Southern Pines Police Department. “Hoover refused to exit his vehicle and became violent when officers attempted to take him into custody.”
Police said officers observed the grip of a revolver inside the truck before Hoover assaulted an officer and fled the scene in the vehicle.
Deputy Chief of Police Robert Heaton said that there were no firearms discharged or used during this incident and that the injury to the officer was “a facial laceration that required sutures.” Hoover is armed, but the observed handgun was not used during the commission of the assault.
The truck was later found abandoned, according to police. Officers located handgun ammunition, narcotics, and drug-related materials inside the vehicle.
The injured officer was treated at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and later released, authorities said.
Hoover has multiple active felony warrants, including assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury on an emergency worker, resisting a public officer inflicting serious injury, possession of cocaine, and possession of methamphetamine. He also faces charges including misdemeanor larceny, carrying a concealed gun, and speeding.
Police said Hoover is believed to be armed with a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about Hoover’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Southern Pines Police Department at (910) 692-7031.
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Via Southern Pines Police Department.
