LAURINBURG – The theft of a Wi-Fi router from Walmart ended in a high-speed chase and the arrest of two men, according to police.
The driver, Frederick Thames Black, 58, of Southfork Road in Parkton, was arrested for felony speeding to elude arrest, three stop light violations and a stop sign violation.
Passenger, Robert Anthony Pucket, 28, of Cooper Street in Fayetteville, was arrested for larceny and possession of stolen goods.
Police were called to Walmart concerning a larceny at 11 a.m. Tuesday. As an officer arrived at Walmart, he witnessed a silver car speed through the intersection and make a hard right onto US 401 south, according to Patrol Capt. Terry Chavis.
The officer deployed his blue lights and attempted to stop the car which sped off, Chavis said.
“[He] tried to stop the driver and the car fled at a very high rate of speed on 401 South in excess of 100 mph,” Chavis said.
Black turned onto Blues Farm road and ran a red light at the intersection of Turnpike Road and Blues Farm, according to the police report. He then ran the stop sign at the intersection of Blues Farm and X-Way roads.
Black lost control of the car and slid into a ditch on X-Way Road where he was arrested, according to police. A second unidentified passenger in the vehicle was released.
The car was confiscated because of the chase Chavis said, and the stolen router was recovered.
Black was taken into custody at the Scotland County Detention Center and received a $7,500 secured bond.
Pucket was discovered to have outstanding warrants for larceny and possession of stolen goods out of Robeson County and received a total bond of $4,000.
