71-Year-Old Man Arrested After Police Chase in Aberdeen

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A 71-year-old man was arrested in Aberdeen, North Carolina after leading police on a chase through the town. Officers were attempting to serve an outstanding warrant on Joseph David Cheeks when he refused to exit his vehicle and drove away, committing various traffic violations and swerving to hit a deputy's vehicle before being apprehended on a dead-end road.

Why it matters

Police chases pose a significant risk to public safety, and this incident highlights the challenges law enforcement face when attempting to serve warrants on uncooperative suspects. The suspect's advanced age also raises questions about mental health and de-escalation tactics used by officers.

The details

According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers went to Cheeks' home to serve an outstanding warrant, but he was not there. When they later found him in his vehicle and asked him to get out, Cheeks refused and drove away, leading police on a chase through the town. During the pursuit, Cheeks committed several traffic violations and even swerved his vehicle in an attempt to hit a Moore County Sheriff's deputy assisting the officers. Police were eventually able to arrest Cheeks after he turned onto a dead-end road.

• On March 10, 2026, Aberdeen police officers attempted to serve an outstanding warrant on Joseph David Cheeks.

What’s next

Cheeks is being held in jail without bond and will face charges including felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle and felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.