DEPUTIES NEED HELP
IN FINDING SUSPECT

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Lincoln County authorities are looking for a Claremont man who led them on a chase last week and fled on foot. Now, deputies are asking for the public's help in locating Robert Glenn Triplett.

Sgt. Larry Ingle clocked a speeding 1985 pickup at 68 miles per hour, more than 20 miles over the speed limit on Buffalo Shoals Road. A pursuit began that ended in Maiden with a vehicle crash.

"The vehicle crossed the center line near the intersection of Benny Shrum lane," said Ingle, adding he attempted to catch up with the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, turned west onto East Maiden Road and continued to operate in a careless and reckless manner.
The officer lost sight on the vehicle several times because of curves and hills. A short time later the vehicle wrecked and when the officer arrived two people were crawling through a window and ran from the scene.

The passenger in the vehicle, Charles Wilson Juene, was located in a mobile home nearby and identified the driver as Robert Glenn Triplett of Claremont. The vehicle license plate on the truck has not been valid since 1984.

Ingle charged Triplett with Speeding 68 in a 45 mile per hour zone; driving left of center; careless and reckless driving; fictitious tag; no insurance; failure to stop for a blue light and siren; resisting and delaying an officer and driving while license revoked. He is also facing a number of charges by the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Officers are still trying to locate Triplett who has a lengthy criminal record.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at (704) 736-8909. Anonymous tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.