15-05-2025
DC men handed down gun, drug charges after high-speed chase, officials say
WASHINGTON () — Two men were charged with federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses following a high-speed chase throughout the District nearly two years ago, authorities announced Thursday.
Dremale Vanterpool, 27, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) said.
Torrance Brock, 23, was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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According to the indictment, shortly before 3 p.m. on June 7, 2023, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers were looking for a gray Nissan Rogue believed to be connected to three armed robberies in Delaware and Maryland.
Officers found it in the 600 block of H St. and activated their vehicle's emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. Though the Nissan pulled to the right and slowed, it did not stop completely.
Then, the USCP said it abruptly pulled from the curve and sped off.
The officers pursued the vehicle, which they said weaved in and out of traffic and crossed the double yellow lines multiple times.
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Eventually, the Nissan was stopped by traffic congestion.
That's when Vanterpool and Brock got out of the car and fled on foot, according to court documents.
Officers chased the pair through an alleyway and driveway in Southeast D.C.
Vanterpool 'lost his footing' and was taken into custody. Brock, who wasn't much further away, was also detained.
Officers said they found a gun, a cellphone and a New York Yankees hat that the pair are believed to have discarded during the chase. Officers who later responded to the scene also found a baseball-sized clear plastic bag with 'a white rock like substance and a white powdery substance.'
Later lab testing confirmed that cocaine and fentanyl were found in substances on and with the men.
Both men had previous convictions in North Carolina and are prohibited from possessing firearms, the USAO noted.
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