A law enforcement checkpoint, set up routinely in the area, put a fugitive from Florida on the run during a chase that ran through the city of Clinton and exceeded speeds of 90 mph.

The man, Haniph Gaston, 25, of 308 Millbrook Ave., Clinton, was charged with no less than 13 offenses after a chase that ended up with the 6-foot, 2-inch, 295-pound Gaston being hit with a baton, doused with pepper spray and tased before he could be apprehended.

According to reports from the Clinton Police Department, Gaston was asked to pull his black 2000 GMC Envoy SUV to the side of the road after a police checkpoint, located on Fayetteville and Barden streets around 3:30 p.m. Monday. When asked if he had a license, Gaston told officers, “I don’t have one.” As officers walked up to the SUV, Gaston hit the gas, squealed the tires and took off down Barden Street.

Officers jumped in their vehicles to pursue Gaston who, reports show, barreled down Barden Street towards Byrd Road at an estimated speed of 80 mph. Upon approach, a stopped school bus on Barden Street was letting children off and, as children exited, Gaston went around the stopped bus and a daycare worker had to pull a child away from the travel lane. Gaston continued north and ran a stop sign, making a sharp right turn at Byrd Road and traveling north towards McKoy Street, running another stop sign.

The suspect, reports further show, continued north towards U.S. 421 at speeds between 60 and 70 mph. At the intersection of McKoy Street and U.S. 421, Gaston made a quick right onto North Boulevard, almost hitting another SUV. Police continued pursuit as the suspect traveled 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, going east down North Boulevard. Upon approach to Lakeview Drive, Gaston reportedly hit his brakes and continued east toward Millbrook Avenue. At the corner of Millbrook and Jasper Street, he jumped out of his vehicle while it was still going about 25 mph and rolled “several” times on the concrete.

After making it to his feet, Gaston began running towards a residence, listed in reports as his own.

Reports state that officers yelled for him to stop but the suspect continued running towards the home, digging for keys in his front pocket. The officer on scene extended his “ASP Baton” and started hitting Gaston on the leg, trying to get him to let go of the door handle. As both men battled, Gaston managed to open the front door and tried to push his way inside. At this point, two more officers were on scene to assist the first officer.

“The suspect began pushing and pulling me inside the residence with him,” stated the first officer in the report. As Gaston continued to pull the officer inside, he was doused with pepper spray.

“The suspect let go of the door and fell towards the kitchen area,” stated the report.

However, Gaston continued to fight with police.

Two more officers showed up to assist and one of the officers deployed a taser. The first attempt missed Gaston, but the second hit him squarely in the back.

At that point, Gaston told police that he had “had enough.”

Police later found that the suspect was a wanted in Florida for a probation violation. According to records from the Florida Department of Corrections, a warrant for Gaston was issued in October of 2008 for the violation. Florida DOC records also show that he has been charged four times for uttering forged instrument’(twice in 2006 and twice in 2008) and aggravated assault with a weapon (no intent to kill) in Gadsen County, Florida on Jan. 28, 2008; and grand theft on April 11, 2008. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Gaston’s license was suspended in March of 2008 by the Department of Revenue.

A search of the car found that Gaston was carrying 200 grams of marijuana and 40 pills of ecstasy.

He was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest, possession with intent to sell and distribute marijuana, manufacturing a Schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and distribute (MDMA), a wanted fugitive, possessing drug paraphernalia, assault of a government official, driving with a revoked license, speeding 90 mph in a 35 mph zone, failure to stop for school bus, failing to heed lights or siren, failure to reduce speed and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Gaston was placed under a $350,000 bond. His court date is set for April 3.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 139 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.