CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — A Cleveland County deputy was hurt when a suspect attacked him with a piece of rebar Monday morning, investigators said.
Capt. Jody Seagle was investigating a suspicious vehicle on Curt Ledford Road around 8 a.m. when the suspect assaulted him, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
Chief Deputy Durwin Briscoe said Seagle was on his way to work when Seagle noticed a suspicious vehicle off a dirt path. He said no one was inside the vehicle, but when Seagle left his car to investigate, the suspect hit him in the back of the head with a steel rod.
Briscoe said the officer and suspect began fighting before the suspect drove away.
“By the grace of God, (Capt. Seagle is) with us," Briscoe said. "We have no idea as to why this happened. The gentleman was able to get away, break away from Capt. Seagle and get into his vehicle. Capt. Seagle thought the gentleman was going to run over him, so he was able to fire some rounds at the car and the car sped off.”
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office released a sketch of the suspect, who is described as 6 feet tall and in his 30s. The suspect has tattoos on both arms and his neck. He was last seen driving a tan four-door Buick with a square front end. Deputies said the driver's side door may have bullet holes.
Now, there's a multi-agency search to find the suspect, including investigators from nearby Catawba, Burke, and Lincoln counties.
"We’re going to continue to look until we find this individual and make sure that he’s brought within the justice system which is where he needs to be," Briscoe said.
The deputy was taken to a hospital with injuries that aren't considered life-threatening. The sheriff's office said the deputy was alert and talking on the scene. He was not shot during the incident.
When the suspect is found, Briscoe said he will face attempted murder charges.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Cleveland County Communications Center at 704-484-4822. A reward of $10,000 is available for any information leading to an arrest.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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