2 arrested after 130 mph chase ends along I-77 in Iredell County, troopers say

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol caught two men after a chase reaching speeds of 130 mph ended along Interstate 77 in Iredell County Wednesday.

Highway patrol confirmed to Channel 9 that it started just before noon when they noticed a speeding white Mercedes. Troopers tried to pull the car over but it drove off, leading a chase.

Troopers said the high-speed chase ended when assisting county deputies threw stop sticks out in front of the Mercedes on I-77 near Olin Loop Road. The car crashed not long afterward in the woods on the side of the interstate.

(Photos: Deputies, troopers look for 2 suspects after crash on I-77 north of Statesville)

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Authorities respond to search for suspects north of Statesville

Chopper 9 Skyzoom could see a large law enforcement presence on I-77 just south of Highway 901. No lanes were blocked as the incident appeared to be happening on the shoulder and in the woods.

Troopers said two men got out of the car and ran into the woods, starting a short manhunt.

The highway patrol asked Channel 9 for assistance finding them around 12:30 p.m., and later used their drone to help with the search.

A local farmer soon waved down police, saying he found the two men on his property.

“It’s not really common having somebody show up getting chased by police here at the house,” said Ace Holland, the farmer.

Holland is a fifth-generation dairy farmer and he was home when a helicopter started circling and sirens blaring.

The suspects ended up at Holland’s farm about the same time as a state trooper appeared.

“She’s talking to me asking me a couple of questions then all of a sudden them guys came walking around the corner of the shed right there in front of us and they weren’t bothered. They weren’t stressed or anything and looking at the phones and she asked me, ‘You know them guys?’ I don’t have a clue who them guys are. Obviously, it was them.”

The two suspects were arrested just before 1 p.m. near a U.S. Postal Service building.

The driver, 22-year-old Pape Drain, had felony warrants out of Pennsylvania for larceny with full extradition. He’s now charged with felony speeding to elude officer and resisting arrest, among similar charges. His passenger, 25-year-old Hamzah Jawo, from Georgia, had resisting arrest and obstruction charges.

Both are in jail but Drain may be extradited back to Pennsylvania.

“Oh man, this is kind of an exciting day at work, I’ll tell you that,” Holland said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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