County of Durham issued the following announcement on Dec. 22.
Investigators with the DCSO STEP Team (Sheriff’s Targeted Enforcement Program) were in the area of Lawson St and Ridgeway Ave on the afternoon of Thursday, December 16, 2021, conducting an investigation when they observed the subject of the investigation, Willie Harvey Witherspoon, 42 of Cary and another man get into a vehicle and leave the area. Deputies followed Witherspoon onto NC 147 south and were conducting a traffic stop when he attempted to flee but instead crashed on the side of the road. Witherspoon then ran from the highway into a construction site. After a short search of the area, he was taken into custody near Riddle and Ellis Rd.
A subsequent search of the car by investigators uncovered that Witherspoon was in possession of Approx. 82 grams of Fentanyl, as well as cocaine, and other narcotics.
The passenger in the vehicle remained at the scene of the crash and was detained for a short time and later released.
Willie Witherspoon had outstanding warrants in Wake County on charges of:
2 counts Assault w/deadly weapon w/int kill
Possession of firearm by felon
2counts Trafficking in fentanyl
Discharge weapon occupied prop
Regarding yesterday’s incident, he was charged with:
Flee/elude arrest (F)
Maintain veh/dwell/place CS (F)
Possess marijuana up to 1/2 oz
PWIMSD sch II CS – Cocaine
Resisting public officer
Trafficking by transportation
Trafficking by possession
Witherspoon is currently in the Durham County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 bond
Original source can be found here.
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