GREGORY MICHAEL GABRIEL DOB 08/08/1984 was arrested following a chase that went through parts of Lake Lure into Polk County just after 2pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
Sergeant Carl Umphlett viewed Gabriel exiting a driveway of a home that he had lived in prior to his absconding from justice. Gabriel has been sought for months on several warrants throughout North Carolina.
Sergeant Umphlett attempted to stop the blue Chevrolet Silverado by activating blue lights and siren however the vehicle failed to stop. Speeds never were over 50mph however the vehicle continued from Lake Lure town limits into Polk County. Sergeant Umphlett continued his pursuit as Corporal Aaron Collins followed in behind him with blue lights and siren. Once they crossed over into Polk County, near Lawter Road, the vehicle slowed finally coming to stop when Gabriel, who was the passenger in the vehicle, jumped from the vehicle and began running down US Highway 9. Corporal Collins was able to catch and subdue Gabriel without further incident.
Gregory Michael Gabriel was charged with Resisting a Public Officer as well as served with seven Orders for Arrest/Warrants from three different counties and several agencies.
The driver of the vehicle that failed to stop was Gabriel’s father with an address in Bushnell, Florida. Gary Thomas Gabriel was charged with Failure to Heed Light or Siren and taken to Rutherford County Detention Center.
Gregory Michael Gabriel has been in trouble with the law in Lake Lure since 2013 when he was arrested for Driving While License Revoked as well as served with outstanding warrants. Additionally in 2017 Gabriel was being interviewed following an altercation at a local restaurant, when he became violent and began screaming racial slurs at Officers. He was put into the back of a police vehicle when he continued being violent and kicked the window out.
Chief Sean Humphries was proud of the keen eye of Sergeant Umphlett in locating Gregory Michael Gabriel and the safe pursuit through the town and into Polk County. Chief Humphries also gave accolades to Corporal Collins for his foot pursuit that led to the arrest. Humphries stated, “These guys were quite the team today. We are proud of their efforts in arresting Gregory Michael Gabriel who had numerous warrants for his arrest. It’s times like this that all the training we go through to safely arrest someone is evident.”
