FN Staff

A convicted felon was apprehended by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy over the weekend after he fled the scene of a traffic stop.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Thomas Hughes Robinson Jr., 27, of W. Horah Street Salisbury, in a news release Tuesday. 

ICSO Deputy Perry was patrolling on Salisbury Highway when he stopped a Volkswagen Jetta on Sunday, Campbell said.

Robinson was a passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by another man, according to the news release. During the stop, deputies searched the vehicle and found marijuana, digital scales, and other drug-related items inside a bookbag, Campbell said, and a second scale with cocaine was also found in the same bag.

Deputy Perry then searched Robinson and observed a bulge in his sock, according to the news release.

When the deputy tried to check it further, Robinson ran from the scene, the sheriff said.

Deputy Moncus responded to the scene to assist with the traffic stop along with his K-9 partner, Kash.

Kash was deployed to track Robinson, who was found hiding inside a dump trailer on Nabors Road and taken into custody, according to the news release.

Robinson later stated the items found in his sock were pressed fentanyl pills. He was arrested and charged with Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana and misdemeanor resist or delay an officer.

Robinson was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Hollar ordered him held without bond.

According to the ICSO, Robinson’s criminal history includes the following charges: Felony Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony Attempted Common Law Robbery, Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, Two Counts of Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Felony Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle. He is currently on probation in Rowan County for Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Felony Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle.

The driver was released after receiving citations for simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.