Sheriff: Driver faces felony assault charge after vehicle hits ICSO deputy

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

IFN Staff

A Mooresville man faces nearly a dozen charges, including felony assault with a deadly weapon, after a pursuit by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Joseph Rodriguez

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Joseph Radames Rodriguez, 24, of Abersham Drive, Mooresville, in a news release Wednesday.

On Saturday, May 2, just before midnight, Deputy J. Raper, who is assigned to the ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram at the intersection of Williford Road and Eternal Drive, Campbell said. While speaking with Rodriguez, who was operating the truck, the deputy observed drug paraphernalia on the passenger seat, according to the news release.

When Deputy Raper asked Rodriguez to exit his vehicle, Rodriguez fled the scene in his vehicle at a high rate of speed and a portion of the side of the truck struck Raper, who was not injured, the sheriff said.

Deputies pursued Rodriquez towards the town limits of Mooresville and requested assistance from Mooresville Police Department officers. MPD officers successfully deploy stop sticks, causing the tires on the Dodge Ram to deflate, according to the news release. The vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot of the BP gas station on E. Plaza Drive after it struck the side of the building, causing minor damage.

Rodriguez was then taken into custody. While searching the vehicle, deputies located crack cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, according to the news release. Rodriguez also had an active arrest warrant for breaking and entering in Mecklenburg County.

Rodriguez was charged with Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, two counts of Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official, Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Marijuana, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Reckless Driving. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Hollar issued Rodriguez a no bond status because he was free on bond at the time of his arrest.