2/17/26 Bladen County, NC – Traffic Stop – Man Steals Bladen County Sheriff’s Unmarked Pick Up Truck And Hit Deputy In The Legs – The Deputy’s Pick Up Was Found Abandoned – Stolen Money And Handcuffs – Arrested The Next Day

February 17, 2026

www.wect.com

A man is accused of stealing a police vehicle and running from law enforcement, leading to a lockdown of multiple facilities in Bladen County.

According to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), on Monday, Feb. 16, at 5:42 p.m., officers with the Bladenboro Police Department stopped a car driven by Katrale Sampson, 32, of Pembroke.

During the traffic stop, Sampson allegedly stole the officers’ patrol vehicle, which was a 2020 Chevy Silverado unmarked police truck, according to warrants. Sampson allegedly went on to assault the officer by hitting them in the leg and side with the front bumper and fender of the Chevy Silverado.

Warrants also allege Sampson stole $1,100 from the officer and stole their stainless steel handcuffs.

The Sheriff’s Office issued a be-on-the-lookout alert after he was last seen traveling toward Center Road.

BCSO said deputies found an empty Bladenboro Police Department patrol vehicle on Marsh Road near the Robeson County line.

“Bladen County Sheriff’s Office deployed drones throughout the area but were unable to locate [Sampson] after hours of searching,” BCSO said. “Deputies patrolled the area throughout the night.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, BCSO said the Bladen County 911 call center received a report of a stolen vehicle from the area of Hester Mill Road.

Another call came into the 911 center from someone claiming to have followed Sampson and told authorities he was at Champs Gas Station on Hwy. 41 across from Bladen Community College.

BCSO said after this call, dispatchers contacted West Bladen High School, Bladen Community College, Dublin Primary School, Homestead Christian School, and Dublin Baptist Church to trigger a lockdown.

“A perimeter was quickly executed by Bladen County Sheriff’s Office,” BCSO said.

Deputies canvassed the area and reported sightings of Sampson helped lead authorities to track him through the woods behind Bladen Community College.

BCSO said Sampson was arrested at 10:30 a.m. near Hwy. 410, just outside Dublin.

BCSO charged Sampson with:

• Larceny of Motor Vehicle
• Larceny by Employee
• Resisting a Public Officer

According to court documents, Sampson was charged with larceny by employee for unlawfully taking a license plate from his employer, VisionAG LLC, and converting it for personal use without his employer’s consent.

Bladenboro Police Department also charged Sampson with:

• Assault with a deadly weapon on a government officer
• Larceny of Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Heroin
• Felony Larceny
• Resisting a Public Officer
• Misdemeanor Larceny
• Possession Drug Paraphernalia

He is being held at the Bladen County Detention Center under no bond.