North Carolina murder suspect arrested after Kingsport pursuit

Emily Hibbitts
·2 min read

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect a release from the Kingsport Police Department.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Kingsport police arrested a North Carolina man wanted for the Tuesday murder of a Mocksville, N.C. woman after a high-speed pursuit on Wednesday.

According to the Kingsport Police Department (KPD), officers found a red 2007 Toyota Camry with a North Carolina license plate traveling on John B. Dennis Highway around 10 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle was entered into the NCIC as murder suspect, Dennis Jerome Sales, 38, of Mocksville, the release stated.

Authorities in Davie County, N.C. suspect Sales of the shooting death of Jade Sales, 34, at a home in Mocksville, News Channel 11’s sister station, WGHP, reported.

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The KPD release says that after unsuccessfully trying to get Sales to pull over, officers pursued the vehicle to East Stone Drive toward Bristol. The Toyota reportedly reached speeds over 100 miles per hour, the KPD reported.

Officers eventually forced the car off the road with their police vehicles near Ollis Bowers Hill Road. The KPD reported that Sales then allegedly fled the vehicle and pretended to present a weapon to officers, as well as attempting to strike officers.

He was eventually taken into custody after a brief struggle, the KPD said.

Two bags of a white powder substance were reportedly found in the driver’s floorboard and door, along with a baggie that contained a white residue.

While at the Kingsport City Jail, Sales told police he had ingested the drugs and appeared to be having an overdose, according to the KPD. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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Crime Watch

Sales was wanted in Mocksville, North Carolina for homicide with full extradition.

In addition to being charged as a fugitive from justice, he was also charged with the following:

  • Felony evading arrest

  • Resisting arrest

  • Speeding

  • Driving on a suspended license

  • Financial responsibility

  • Simple assault x2

  • Reckless Endangerment

  • Due care

  • Maintaining a dwelling

  • Possession of a schedule II drug for resale

The KPD said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

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