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Deputy shoots driver of stolen truck after police chase in Cabarrus Co.

By Jim Bradley
By Jim Bradley

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a shooting that happened after they said a driver sped off from a traffic stop and led authorities on a chase Thursday morning.

Officials said the incident began as a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle on Poplar Tent Road around 9:30 a.m.

The deputy realized the vehicle was stolen and tried to delay making a stop as he waited for backup to arrive, but that's when the two suspects in the stolen truck immediately pulled into a random driveway and stopped, the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office said.

The deputy was then forced to activate his blue lights and command a stop.

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Investigators told Channel 9 that the officer briefly communicated with the driver and passenger from a short distance, and that the driver seemed very nervous and fidgety.

That driver, identified as Joseph Mercer, then sped off, leaving his passenger in the driveway, according to the officer.

A chase ensued, which ended at the intersection of Poplar Tent and Derita roads, where Mercer was involved in a crash with several patrol cars.

Officials said that at least two of the deputies left their patrol cars after the crash in an attempt to get Mercer out of the stolen truck.

Mercer used the truck to crash into the patrol cars, nearly striking the deputies, according to officials. That's when a deputy fired his gun through the front windshield, striking Mercer at least one time in the shoulder and neck, police said.

He was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast where he was listed in stable condition.

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The passenger in the stolen truck was later identified as Robert Graham. He was questioned and later released by authorities, with no charges expected to be filed against him.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations was called to investigate the incident.

No deputies were injured and as standard protocol, the deputy involved in the shooting, Matthew Pethel, is on administrative duty until the completion of the investigation.

“It is apparent to the investigators that the suspect was involved in criminal activity, maybe even beyond being in a stolen car; and that he attempted to use the car as a deadly weapon, that placed grave harm on the deputies lives,” Sheriff Brad Riley said in a press release Thursday evening. “It’s always a tragedy when someone gets hurt. We are just thankful that no one died today.”

Charges against Mercer will be forthcoming after further discussion with the district attorney, and more information will be provided at that time.

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