By admin 
WELDON, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina deputies caught a Wilson man wanted on kidnapping and other charges after a 30-mile chase on Interstate 95 that hit speeds above 130 mph before ending in a fire near Rocky Mount on Tuesday, the Halifax County sheriff said.
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The incident involved Akram Karriem Paul, 46, of Wilson, who was wanted on kidnapping, abduction and assault charges from Virginia, according to a Halifax County Sheriff’s Office news release and court documents.
He is also facing human trafficking and prostitution charges in Maryland, according to a conditions of release order completed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
On Tuesday, authorities contacted Halifax County deputies about Paul’s location in Weldon in Halifax County, the news release said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, his car was found at a Weldon motel, and “numerous investigators and agents” descended on the scene to monitor his movements, Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis said in the release.
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Around 6:05 p.m., Paul got into the car at the motel and headed west towards Roanoke Rapids, Davis said.
Deputies tried to stop Paul’s car as it merged onto southbound I-95, according to Davis.
A car that caught fire following a 130+ mph chase from Halifax County to near Rocky Mount on I-95 on Tuesday, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Photo courtesy: Halifax County Sheriff’s Office The scene after a car that caught fire following a 130+ mph chase from Halifax County to near Rocky Mount on I-95 on Tuesday, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Photo courtesy: Halifax County Sheriff’s Office 
NCDOT image of the exit at mile marker 141, which is Dortches Boulevard for the town of Dortches, just outside Rocky Mount, where the chase ended Tuesday.
“Paul originally pulled the vehicle onto the right shoulder, but as agents exited their patrol vehicles, he rapidly accelerated, fleeing southbound on Interstate 95,” the release said.
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The chase hit speeds over 130 mph and was soon joined by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Davis said.
Eventually, a trooper deployed “spike strips” in front of Paul’s car, causing several tires to blow out, according to Davis.
The chase ended at the 141-mile marker near Dortches and Rocky Mount, with the car soon catching fire near the woods, the release said.
Davis said Paul was taken into custody and charged with felony flee/elude arrest, along with various traffic charges, including:
- reckless driving
- speeding
- driving while license revoked
- fictitious registration
- operate a vehicle with no insurance
- improper passing
- no registration
Battleboro Fire Department responded to the fire, containing and extinguishing the blaze before it could spread.
A Halifax County fugitive warrant regarding Paul was obtained for his outstanding warrants for arrest in Virginia for kidnapping, abduction and assaults, Davis said.
Paul received a $14,500 secured bond for the traffic-related charges and was held without bond for the fugitive warrant, the news release said.
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Paul has an initial appearance set for July 15 in Halifax County District Court.