Police dog, stolen vehicle and drugs: North Charleston chase tops 100 mph before crash and arrest (2024)

NORTH CHARLESTON— A nearly three-hour high-speed police pursuit resulted in a police dog being used in the arrest of a Goose Creek man on multiple active warrants.

Just after midnight Aug. 12, North Charleston police officers were patrolling Dorchester Road near Lowell Drive when a black SUV failed to signal before changing lanes, according to an incident report. Officers turned on their blue lights and attempted a traffic stop. Instead, the SUV took off, nearly hitting another car.

What followed was a chase that led officers through North Charleston streets at speeds as high as 100 mph. Deputies with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office joined and helpedbring the SUV to a stop.

Law enforcement deployed stop sticks, devices specially designed to deflate tires at a controlled rate upon impact. Yet even on flat tires, the driver continued to flee, officers reported.

As the chase continued onto Interstate 526 East, the SUV lost one tire and and another was reduced to the rim before the vehicle crashed into an interstate barrier, according to the incident report.

Thomas Lamont Ancrum, 35, jumped out of the driver's seat, threw a bookbag into the backseat and took off running, officers reported.

Officers sent a police dog in chase,which bit and held onto Ancrum.

Less than 2 grams of cocaine were found on Ancrum, the incident report states.

Police drew their service weapons and detained the SUV's passenger, who has not been publicly identified, according to the incident report.

A search of the discarded bookbag revealed nearly 30 grams of marijuana and two handguns, according to the incident report.

Records show that the SUV was stolen.

Ancrum was sent to a hospital for treatment of the dog-bite wound, before being transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center. Ancrum was granted $145,000 bond, though he remained incarcerated as of midday Aug. 15, according to inmate records. He is charged with multiple counts of unlawful possession of a handgun and various charges related to possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs.

Ancrum has a lengthy history of prior arrests and convictions, including multiple drug possession, assault and battery and unlawful possession of a weapon charges since 2010.