ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER CHASE WITH DEPUTIES 

January 29 - The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office arrested a subject who is believed to be connected in a robbery that occurred on Monday night in Pittsboro. At approximately 9:00 pm, authorities from Pittsboro were dispatched to a robbery at the Subway on East Street. The suspect was described as white male, about 6 ft tall and medium build. They were also looking for a small red car that was seen in the area. The suspect got away with the cash register drawer with an undisclosed amount of money.

Deputy John Stauffer saw a suspicious red vehicle on Hwy 902 near Pittsboro and began to pursue it. When he attempted to stop it on US 421 near Bear Creek, the driver refused to stop and a high speed chase was the result. Members of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Siler City Police Department pursued the vehicle for approximately 12 miles at speeds of more than 110 miles per hour. The vehicle attempted to ram an oncoming deputy during the pursuit that caused the officer to exit the road. The officer was able to elude the assault and get back into the pursuit. The suspect drove east on US 64 in the westbound lane for several miles until he stopped on the exit ramp of US 15-501 near Pittsboro. The suspect attempted to carjack a vehicle but was subdued by Chatham County Sheriff’s ICE Team officers without further incident.

The suspect, Zachary Harwood, 25, of 6 Sunset Drive, Weaverville North Carolina was charged with numerous charges which include Felonious Armed Robbery, Felonious Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official, Resisting Arrest and Felonious Speeding to Elude Arrest.

He was jailed under a $200,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on February 7.