On July 14, 2016, Rakeem De’ Andre Williams, who was wanted on multiple felony drugs charges out of Martin County, was spotted driving into Beaufort County by Martin County Narcotics Officers. Martin County Narcotics notified the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in stopping Williams to take him into custody. Beaufort County deputies responded and attempted to stop Williams on Market Street Extension as he drove into Washington. Williams spotted the deputies, accelerated and attempt to flee.

Williams drove into the residential neighborhood of Somerset, drove behind houses and through yards in his attempt to elude capture. Williams then drove out of the neighborhood and continued north on Market Street into Washington. Williams crashed his car into a tree at the corner of East 12th and Market streets when he attempted to make a left turn at a high rate of speed and lost control. He then jumped from the car and fled on foot.

Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Narcotics Unit and probation officers from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and Washington Police Department searched a one-city block area for about 30 minutes. Williams was spotted by probation officers and taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

After his capture Rakeem De’ Andre Williams, age 27, of Middle Street in Jamesville, was charged with felony fleeing to elude, failure to heed blue for lights and siren, reckless driving, driving while his license was revoked and driving the wrong way on a dual lane highway. Additionally Williams was wanted for two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance and two counts of selling a controlled substance near a school or park. Williams was ordered held on a $155,000 secured bond.