One arrested in uptown chase

March 14-- Mar. 14--A high-speed chase through uptown Shelby ended in a crash and an arrest.

Elazja Gingles, 19, of Shelby, led Shelby Police on a chase exceeding speeds of 60 mph along Lafayette Street and side roads of town around 4 p.m. Tuesday until officers called off the pursuit due to the amount of traffic in the area, read reports. But it wasn't long until officers caught up with Gingles.

While allegedly fleeing, Gingles ran his vehicle into a tree at a home on the 800 block of Marion Street. From there, he grabbed a backpack and ran into the woods.

He reportedly threw the backpack into the woods as he ran from a Shelby Police K-9.

Cleveland County Sheriff's deputies apprehended Gingles not long after, according to reports.

Police allegedly found the teen's backpack. Inside was a handgun and drum magazine. A search of the car also produced a Taurus 9mm and several magazines.

According to reports, the incident started due to a fictitious tag on Gingles's Ford Mustang.

This is not the first time the young man has been in trouble. He is currently on probation for fleeing to elude arrest, identity theft/fraud and financial card fraud.

Gingles is charged with possession of stolen firearm, resisting public officer, possession of a firearm by felon, driving while license revoked not impaired, fictitious/altered title/registration card/tag, operating a vehicle with no insurance, driving motor vehicle with no registration and fail to stop at stop sign or for flashing red lights.

He is held in Cleveland County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Joyce Orlando can be reached at 704-669-3341 or find her on Twitter @Star_J_Orlando.

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