Yesterday morning, Monroe Police Department officers apprehended a wanted fugitive after a high-speed chase that involved multiple law enforcement agencies. The incident began when officers attempted to stop a stolen Ford Fusion near Stafford St. on W. Roosevelt Blvd. at approximately 8:43 a.m. Unwilling to comply, the driver, identified as 26-year-old Ryan Christopher Bumgarner of Huntersville, led authorities on a pursuit through Indian Trail before looping back to Monroe, details posted on the Monroe Police Department's Facebook page indicate.

The chase concluded at the intersection of Secrest Short Cut Rd. and Rocky River Rd., where Bumgarner was taken into custody without further incident. Despite the ordeal, resulting in minor injuries for Bumgarner, not a single member of law enforcement was harmed. After a quick trip to the hospital for medical clearance, the suspect now faces a litany of charges, including possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony flee to elude, and assault with a deadly weapon, to name a few. Bumgarner's alleged improper use of a vehicle, paired with his reported no-show at the traffic lights presents a concerning disregard for the laws that order our roads.

According to the Monroe Police Department, Bumgarner is no stranger to the wrong side of the law; he was already a fugitive from South Carolina with a warrant out for grand larceny and had multiple outstanding felony warrants from Mecklenburg County for larceny of a motor vehicle, financial card theft, and further larceny charges. At the time of writing, details regarding Bumgarner's conditions of release were not made available. Monroe Police Department representatives have commended all officers and deputies involved for their bravery, professionalism, and teamwork to ensure the pursuit was brought to a safe resolution.

More information on this case will be released as the investigation continues. For now, a fugitive's run from accountability has been paused, and a stolen Fusion has been grounded.