Two armed robbery suspects were in custody Monday after a Sunday night pursuit that originated in Mount Airy and ended in Carroll County, Virginia, with officers’ use of “spike strips” to flatten tires on their vehicle.
The two, a man and woman from Mount Airy both considered armed and dangerous, are facing a series of charges stemming from the initial robbery report and the two-state pursuit in which the stolen car they were in reached 100 mph.
Cody Aaron Mills, 27, of 2424 Pine Ridge Road, and Tiffany Nichole McDonald, 29, of 539 Lovill St., were being held Monday at the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin, Virginia, without privilege of bond.
Carroll County Sheriff John B. Gardner reported that the two will be extradited to North Carolina, where each is facing charges in Mount Airy of robbery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle. Mills also is said to be facing an additional offense here of felony eluding police.
The pursuit resulted in charges against Mills in Carroll County of felony eluding police, obstruction of justice, reckless driving, resisting arrest, no operator’s license, driving under the influence of drugs and being a fugitive from justice from North Carolina.
Robbery Details
The robbery had been reported Saturday about 4:20 p.m. at a residence at 187 Mountain View Road, which runs alongside Simmons Nissan off U.S. 601.
Victim Bobby Lane Mills, 66, of that address, reported he had been assaulted by his son, Cody Aaron Mills, and McDonald.
Mills advised that he was struck in the head and punched by Cody Mills and McDonald and they stole his wallet containing his money, a prescription pill bottle containing Xanax, his cellular telephone and his 1999 Chevrolet Lumina.
The victim was treated by emergency medical personnel, but reportedly refused transport to the hospital.
Warrants for arrest were issued for the pair for the robbery and stolen vehicle offenses.
Pursuit occurs
On Sunday at about 9:30 p.m., city police officers observed the stolen Chevrolet Lumina traveling south on Rockford Street near Edgewood Drive.
The vehicle turned into the parking lot of Walmart and when officers attempted to stop the car, the driver fled from the parking lot onto Edgewood Drive. He failed to stop for officers, with the car continuing onto Park Drive, then turning onto Interstate 74-West.
That chase continued on I-74 to a point near N.C. 89, where the Surry County Sheriff’s Office became involved.
The driver of the vehicle continued to flee to elude arrest and turned onto Interstate 77 north toward Virginia, with the pursuit discontinued by the Mount Airy officers.
Numerous officers involved
The Carroll Sheriff’s Office was notified shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday that city police were in pursuit of the Chevy Lumina headed northbound on Interstate 77 toward Virginia.
Virginia authorities were alerted that the car’s occupants should be considered armed and dangerous.
The car reportedly was traveling in excess of 100 mph and after crossing into Virginia, left I-77 at Exit 1 (Lambsburg), and continued along Carroll County backroads, according to accounts from Sheriff Gardner.
The vehicle traveled along Old Pipers Gap Road for a short distance before turning onto Flower Gap Road. It was met at the intersection of Flower Gap/Apple Ridge roads by Deputy Eric Sain and Chief Deputy Gary Bourne, where spike strips were deployed.
However, Mills was able to avoid the spikes and the car ventured onto Apple Ridge Road.
At that point, the pursuit was taken over by Carroll County Chief Deputy Gary Bourne and deputies Trevor Carico and Rocky Dalton.
It continued on Apple Ridge Road, then Brushy Fork Road heading toward U.S. 52.
At that time, Deputy Sain again deployed spike strips, at the Brushy Fork/ Wood Creek Road intersection, which were effective the second time around with both front tires on the Lumina flattened.
However, the vehicle continued traveling onto a long driveway, through a yard, down a roadway and into a secluded wooded area until the way was blocked by a fence and it could go no further.
Sgt. D.A. Walls of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the apprehension, along with members of other agencies including National Park Service Ranger Jeff Hunter; and troopers M.A. Cochran, J.A. Vaughan, K. Cheeks, and Bryan Phipps of the Virginia State Police.
Capt. Barry VanHoy of the Mount Airy police said Monday that city authorities appreciate the assistance rendered by the officers in Virginia in helping to apprehend the suspects considered dangerous.
