COURTLAND
On Thursday at approximately 5:32 p.m., Southampton County Sheriff’s Office deputies joined in a high-speed pursuit that began in Mecklenburg County and had travelled through Brunswick County, Greensville County and the City of Emporia on U.S. Route 58.

According to Lt. Camden Cobb, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, information on the vehicle was relayed to Southampton County deputies after the other jurisdictions terminated their pursuits. Deputies were chasing a gray Toyota Scion at speeds in excess of 100 mph that was passing vehicles on the shoulder of the road.

Southampton deputies were able to successfully deploy spike strips that flattened at least one tire on the suspect vehicle, dramatically slowing down the pursuit. At one point the suspect vehicle swerved toward one of the deputies trying to get the vehicle to stop, almost striking his car. The suspect vehicle eventually darted off of the highway and travelled through the Food Lion parking lot, coming to a stop at the Hardee’s on Southampton Parkway.

The suspect, later identified as Melissa Faye Reyes Reyes, 28, of Hampton, had to be physically removed from the vehicle and was then taken into custody without further incident.

There were three children in the vehicle with Reyes Reyes, ages 7, 12 and 15. They were later picked up by a family member.

Reyes Reyes was charged with felony eluding, reckless driving, assault on law enforcement and three counts of felony child neglect. Information received from Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office and Emporia Police Department indicate that they will also be pursuing criminal charges against Reyes Reyes.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. Deputies gave special acknowledgement to the Courtland Hardee’s staff who were very accommodating during the incident and even donated food for the children who had been in the vehicle.