North Carolina duo hit with 77 theft charges; suspect crashes into police car during chase, officers say

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – A Durham man wanted on 20 charges in various thefts in Cary led officers on a multi-county chase on Tuesday morning during which he crashed into a police car with the chase ending when the wanted man flipped his car in Durham, police said.

According to the Durham Police Department, officers were assisting Cary police at around 9:45 a.m. with an arrest of a person wanted by Cary officers.

Cary police later told CBS 17 that Deion Liles, 28, of Durham was initially wanted on 20 theft charges, including burglaries, larcenies and shoplifting.

Another suspect in the case, Tremaine Mason, 34, of Durham was wanted on 57 theft charges, Cary police said. Mason was found in Durham and taken into custody without incident.

Liles was later found by Durham police, who tried to stop his car in the 2800 block of Campus Walk Avenue. Instead, he smashed his car into an unmarked police car, officers said.

He then drove away on Interstate 85 during the chase, before losing control of the car, rolling it off the road and flipping the car near Hillandale Road, police said. Liles was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

K-9 officers recovered a weapon that was thrown from the vehicle, according to Durham police.

Early last month, Cary police released photos and warned residents about various home and car break-ins and thefts.

Cary police said by April 2 there were 12 reported break-ins at various homes throughout the northwest district of Cary, which includes the N.C. 55 and Davis Drive corridors, in four months.

The suspects targeted homes during daytime and evening hours when residents were not at home. Police said the pair were gaining entry by forcing open rear windows and doors and stealing items such as jewelry and cash.

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