CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man has been taken into custody after allegedly leading Union County deputies on a chase in a stolen car with his kids inside.
Kirby Faulkner, 32, is accused of fleeing officers on Tuesday, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office. Deputies attempted to stop Faulkner in the Indian Trail area for a bad license plate but he allegedly refused to stop. Deputies initiated a pursuit that ended on the outer loop of Interstate 485 when Faulkner ran over tire spikes. He then ran from the scene, according to investigators, and into the woods.
Deputies said Faulkner left his two children in the car, a 1-year-old and an 11-year-old. Both children were unharmed during the incident, according to the sheriff's office. The vehicle was found to have been stolen with a large amount of marijuana inside, according to the sheriff's office.
Multiple agencies began a search for Faulkner in the area, and officials confirmed Wednesday he had been taken into custody. after turning himself in to authorities.
“Mr. Faulkner has a vast criminal history. He’s been arrested numerous times. He’s no stranger to law enforcement or the methods we use to locate him," Lt. James Maye, the public information officer for the sheriff's office, said while he was at large. "So, we're going to have to be creative, but we're determined to bring him into custody."
"It’s just a matter of time at this point. We’ll check numerous addresses. We’ll continue to use every asset and every method at our means to make sure he’s taken off the street, because he obviously has no concern for the safety of others, including his own minor children," Lt. Maye added.
Kefle Fesseha said he and his father were sitting outside the Nature's Care Dispensary off Lawyers Road when they witnessed the chase.
"I saw a car going at a very high speed during heavy traffic and, a few seconds later, I saw cops chasing the car through the ramp on 485," Fesseha said. "Firetrucks and stuff, helicopter soon after, so I figured there was some trouble brewing.”
Faulkner was wanted for fleeing to elude police, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, child abuse, and possession of marijuana, according to the sheriff's office.
"Whoever is around, if you see the guy, turn him in. It’s as simple as that," Fesseha said. "He’s a menace. How are you going to have two kids and you put them in that kind of risk? Just over drugs? I hope they arrest him quick.”
No bond conditions have been set at this time, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office.