Trio accused of leading deputies on chase after stealing TVs from Walmart

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Three people are in custody, accused of leading police on a chase across two counties after stealing televisions from a Denver Walmart.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said two men stole thousands of dollars worth of TVs and other electronics from the store just before midnight.

Deputies spotted the vehicle leaving the parking lot and said two 43-inch televisions could be seen inside. They said the car sped away, with one person's legs still hanging out of the passenger door, and led law enforcement on a chase that ended when the car caught on fire on Lucia Riverbend Highway in Gaston County.

“They got on Highway 16, headed back towards Mecklenburg County, threw several items out of the window, and the car actually caught on fire,” said Lt. Jordan Cody, with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

[ALSO READ: Gaston County Police use Stop Sticks to end chase, catch burglary suspect]

Deputies believe a fluid leak in the transmission may have started the fire.

All three people -- identified as Rashna Pressley, 32, Shadon Giles, 46, and Ronald Hicks, 48, all from Charlotte -- were able to get out of the car, though some of the stolen electronics were destroyed.

Pressley, the getaway driver, was charged with felony larceny, felony habitual larceny, felony possession of stolen goods, felony fleeing to elude arrest, two counts of felony conspiracy, damage to property, speeding, reckless driving, and using a fictitious license plate.

She was also served four outstanding warrants and a criminal summons out of Mecklenburg County.

Hicks and Giles were charged with felony larceny, two counts of conspiracy, and felony possession of stolen goods.

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