Suspect Jumps Into Lake Norman In Failed Bid To Hide From Cops

MOORESVILLE, NC -- A complaint about a suspicious vehicle parked near a boat dock in Mooresville earlier this week led Iredell County Sheriff deputies to a marijuana stash valued at nearly $7,000, an arrest for multiple felonies and a soaking wet suspect who jumped in Lake Norman to avoid detection. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t work).

The events unfolded Jan. 22 after deputies found a suspicious black van parked near the the boat dock in a cul-de-sa on Old Post Road off Brawley School Road in Mooresville, as well as Robert Taylor Moore.

Moore told the deputies he was on the boat dock “smoking marijuana with his friend.”

That friend, according to a sheriff’s office report, was identified as Christopher Werner, who reportedly jumped into the lake to hide when he saw the deputies. Werner was later spotted emerging from the lake and later confirmed his identity to deputies, who then called paramedics because he “was extremely cold,” the report said.

Deputies searched the van and found “a large package of marijuana” weighing 12.5 ounces that they said had a street value of about $6,800, as well as “smaller baggies consistent with packaging marijuana for sale,” the sheriff’s report said.

Moore was cited for possession of marijuana and Werner was arrested and charged with felony possession with intent to sell marijuana, felony maintain a vehicle/dwelling/place controlled substance, felony possession of marijuana and resisting a public officer. He was issued a $4,000 secured bond by Magistrate Steve Nicholson, according to the report.

Photo courtesy of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office