A late-night chase spilling off I-85 into Belmont ended with a police dog bringing down a wanted man in the dark, authorities say. In the early hours of April 10, a driver with multiple outstanding warrants allegedly tried to outrun officers, lost control near Exit 27, then bolted on foot before a K-9 caught up. The man, identified by police as Justice L. Stryon, was booked into the Gaston County Jail and faces several felony and misdemeanor counts.
How the chase unfolded
Around 12:30 a.m. on April 10, Gaston County officers asked Belmont police to jump in on a vehicle pursuit that was headed toward the city, according to a post by the Belmont Police Department. Investigators say the pursued vehicle left I-85 at the Park Street exit, ran off the roadway, and the driver tried to make a run for it.
The escape did not last long. Belmont police say K9 Maverick tracked the suspect from the crash scene and apprehended him nearby, allowing officers to take him into custody.
Arrest and charges
Belmont officials identified the arrestee as Justice L. Stryon. A Gaston County mugshot roundup published by WCCB shows Stryon was booked on April 10 on counts that include assault on a female, the crime of domestic violence, and resist public officer.
Legal details
The Belmont Police Department says Stryon also faces additional Mecklenburg County charges, including two counts of domestic violence, two counts of assault on a female and a break and enter count, and that he had several outstanding warrants there. According to the department, he was transported to the Gaston County Jail and held on a $40,000 secured bond.
Local context
Belmont officers and their K-9 teams have been in the thick of several recent takedowns in the greater Charlotte area, underscoring how risky pursuits can get on busy stretches like I-85. A January mile-and-a-half K-9 track ended with officers using a dog to locate a fleeing driver in a stolen vehicle, and WBTV reported on a March pursuit that shut down parts of the interstate after a suspect car hit a garbage truck…