Court Opinion

ID: 9348825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-12-20 14:17:43.237701+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:43:55.093194
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                         2022-NCCOA-6

                                         No. COA20-434

                                      Filed 4 January 2022

     Randolph County, 15 CRS 052178

     STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

                  v.

     CHRISTOPHER JASON THOMPSON, Defendant.

           Appeal by Defendant from judgment entered 14 March 2019 by Judge V.

     Bradford Long in Randolph County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals

     23 March 2021.

           Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Special Deputy Attorney General
           Kimberly D. Potter, for the State.

           Mark L. Hayes for defendant-appellant.

           MURPHY, Judge.

¶1         A trial court properly denies a defendant’s motion to dismiss a charge of felony

     fleeing to elude arrest when there is sufficient evidence, in the light most favorable

     to the State, that, inter alia, the arresting officers acted in the lawful performance of

     their duties. Here, the trial court properly denied Defendant’s motion to dismiss

     where there was sufficient evidence, in the light most favorable to the State, that the

     officers were acting in lawful performance of their duties because they had a

     reasonable articulable suspicion to detain Defendant, had probable cause to arrest
                                       STATE V. THOMPSON

                                          2022-NCCOA-6

                                        Opinion of the Court

     Defendant, and complied with N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e)(1) and (2).

                                        BACKGROUND

¶2         On 21 May 2015, Defendant Christopher Thompson drove his son to Liberty

     Elementary School. The two arrived shortly after the tardy bell rang and a school

     counselor, Tracey Whatley, had secured the doors. Whatley instructed Defendant’s

     son to go to the front office to obtain a tardy slip. Defendant instead instructed his

     son to go to class and stated, “I am your tardy note.”      After Whatley informed

     Defendant his son would not be let inside the school without a tardy slip, Defendant

     went to the front office with his son.

¶3         At the front office, Defendant yelled, cursed, and argued with school staff,

     maintaining that his son should not “get a tardy.” Defendant’s son was taken to class

     eventually without a tardy, while Defendant remained in the front office. A few

     minutes later, the principal, Jordi Roman, arrived at the front office and, because

     there were students in the area and Defendant was still using profanity in a raised

     voice, asked Defendant to step outside of the building. Defendant did not leave right

     away and continued using profanity. Roman asked Defendant to step outside a

     second time, and he instructed his secretary to call the police and clear the office.

     After this occurred, Defendant complied with the request to go outside. Outside the

     building, Defendant continued to argue with Roman. Defendant seemingly decided

     he wanted to leave with his son and requested his son be brought outside. After
                                      STATE V. THOMPSON

                                         2022-NCCOA-6

                                       Opinion of the Court

     multiple requests, Defendant’s son was brought outside.        Several police officers

     arrived as Defendant got into his truck with his son.

¶4         Upon arrival, Liberty Police Chief David Semrad noticed that bystanders were

     looking towards Defendant’s truck and that Roman was standing outside near the

     truck. In light of the police call for a school disturbance and his observations, Chief

     Semrad concluded Defendant was the source of the reported disturbance, approached

     Defendant, and told him he was being detained. Shortly thereafter, Chief Semrad

     discussed the situation with Roman, and Roman asked Chief Semrad to ban

     Defendant from the property. Chief Semrad then asked Officer Jason Phillips to

     obtain Defendant’s identification for the ban sheet.     Officer Phillips approached

     Defendant’s truck, which was running, and asked Defendant for his identification;

     however, Defendant stated he was not legally required to provide his identification

     and provided his full name. Officer Phillips requested Officer Hubert Elder to assist

     him at Defendant’s truck, and Officer Elder told Defendant he could either provide

     his license or go to jail. Defendant asked “under what North Carolina state law,” and

     Officer Elder raised his voice, responding for “obstructing my investigation.”

¶5         When Chief Semrad heard Officer Elder raise his voice, he approached

     Defendant’s truck because he felt they had “reached a point where . . . an arrest may

     be warranted.” Chief Semrad ordered Defendant to get out of his truck. Defendant

     refused to exit his truck, and Chief Semrad attempted to open the locked truck door.
                                         STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

     Officer Elder stated he saw Defendant “grab for the gearshift,” so he reached inside

     Defendant’s truck and attempted to obtain the keys from the ignition. Defendant

     pushed Officer Elder’s arm into the truck’s dash, and Chief Semrad reached into the

     truck and grabbed Defendant’s head and arm in an attempt to break Defendant’s grip

     from Officer Elder. The vehicle abruptly accelerated forward, and Officer Elder

     testified that “[Defendant’s] left arm momentarily came and pinned [Officer Elder] so

     that [he] could not retract.” Defendant then put the vehicle in reverse and backed

     up, at which point Officer Elder disengaged from the vehicle. Defendant drove away

     from the school at a high speed, with the police briefly in pursuit. However, after

     realizing Defendant’s son was in the truck, the police stopped pursuing Defendant.

     Shortly after the police stopped pursuing Defendant, Defendant crashed his truck

     and was subsequently arrested.

¶6          As a result of this incident, Defendant was indicted for feloniously “operat[ing]

     a motor vehicle on a highway, . . . while fleeing and attempting to elude a law

     enforcement officer, Officer H. Elder, in the lawful performance of the officer’s duties”

     in violation of N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5.1 On 7 March 2018, Defendant filed a pre-trial

            1 In the indictment, Defendant’s charge for violating N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5 was elevated
     to a felony based on the aggravated factors of “speeding in excess of 15 miles per hour over
     the legal speed limit,” “driving recklessly in violation of [N.C.G.S. §] 20-140,” and “driving
     with a child under 12 years of age in the vehicle.” See N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5(b)(1), (3), & (8)
     (2019).
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

     Motion to Suppress all evidence obtained, arguing his attempted arrest was unlawful.

     The motion was denied on 8 March 2019 based on the trial court’s finding that

     Defendant’s detention was lawful. At the close of the State’s evidence, Defendant

     made a motion to dismiss based on the insufficiency of the evidence. The trial court

     denied Defendant’s motion to dismiss.          At the close of all evidence, Defendant

     renewed his motion to dismiss, and the trial court again denied his motion.

     Defendant was convicted of felony fleeing to elude arrest. On 14 March 2019, the

     trial court sentenced Defendant to a suspended sentence of 6 to 17 months.

     Defendant timely appealed.

                                            ANALYSIS

¶7          On appeal, Defendant argues the trial court erred in denying his motion to

     dismiss because the State did not present sufficient evidence that the officers were

     acting in the lawful performance of their duties.2 Specifically, Defendant argues the

     officers acted unlawfully because (A) “they had no reasonable suspicion to detain

     [Defendant]”; (B) “they had no probable cause to arrest [Defendant]”; and (C) “the

     arrest, even if it was based on probable cause, did not comply with [N.C.G.S.] § 15A-

            Defendant was also indicted on multiple counts of assault on a law enforcement officer
     but was found not guilty of the assault charges. Defendant does not raise any challenge
     related to the indictments on appeal.
            2 We note that Defendant does not challenge the denial of his Motion to Suppress on

     appeal.
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

     401.” We disagree.3

¶8          “This Court reviews the trial court’s denial of a motion to dismiss de novo.”

     State v. Smith, 186 N.C. App. 57, 62, 650 S.E.2d 29, 33 (2007).

                   Upon [the] defendant’s motion for dismissal, the question
                   for [us] is whether there is substantial evidence (1) of each
                   essential element of the offense charged, or of a lesser
                   offense included therein, and (2) of [the] defendant’s being
                   the perpetrator of such offense. If so, the motion is properly
                   denied.

     State v. Fritsch, 351 N.C. 373, 378, 526 S.E.2d 451, 455, cert. denied, 531 U.S. 890,

     148 L. Ed. 2d 150 (2000). “In reviewing challenges to the sufficiency of evidence, we

     must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, giving the State the

     benefit of all reasonable inferences . . . . Contradictions and discrepancies do not

     warrant dismissal of the case but are for the jury to resolve.” State v. Scott, 356 N.C.

     591, 596, 573 S.E.2d 866, 869 (2002) (citations omitted).

¶9          Defendant was convicted of felonious fleeing to elude arrest pursuant to

     N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5. N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5 provides in relevant part:

                   (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor
                   vehicle on a street, highway, or public vehicular area while
                   fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer
                   who is in the lawful performance of his duties. Except as
                   provided in subsection (b) of this section, violation of this

            3 We emphasize that we come to our conclusion under the standard of review
     applicable to motions to dismiss. See State v. Mahatha, 267 N.C. App. 355, 358, 832 S.E.2d
     914, 918 (2019) (applying the standard of review for a motion to dismiss for insufficiency of
     the evidence, and not discussing the standard of review for a motion to suppress).
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

                    section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

                    (b) If two or more of the following aggravating factors are
                    present at the time the violation occurs, violation of this
                    section shall be a Class H felony.

       N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5(a)-(b) (2019) (emphasis added). We address only whether the

       officers were in the lawful performance of their duties as it is the only element that

       Defendant challenges on appeal. See N.C. R. App. P. 28 (“Issues not presented and

       discussed in a party’s brief are deemed abandoned.”).

                             A. Reasonable Articulable Suspicion

¶ 10         Defendant first argues the police officers departed from the lawful performance

       of their duties because they lacked reasonable articulable suspicion to detain him.

¶ 11         “The Fourth Amendment protects individuals against unreasonable searches

       and seizures. The North Carolina Constitution provides similar protection.” State v.

       Hernandez, 208 N.C. App. 591, 597, 704 S.E.2d 55, 59 (2010) (marks and citations

       omitted), disc. rev. denied, 365 N.C. 86, 731 S.E.2d 829 (2011). “‘[B]rief investigatory

       detentions such as those involved in the stopping of a vehicle’ are subject to Fourth

       Amendment protections.” Mahatha, 267 N.C. App. at 358, 832 S.E.2d at 918 (quoting

       State v. Watkins, 337 N.C. 437, 441, 446 S.E.2d 67, 70 (1994)). “A police officer may

       effect a brief investigatory seizure of an individual where the officer has reasonable,

       articulable suspicion that a crime may be underway.” State v. Barnard, 184 N.C.

       App. 25, 29, 645 S.E.2d 780, 783 (2007), aff’d, 362 N.C. 244, 658 S.E.2d 643, cert.
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

       denied, 555 U.S. 914, 172 L. Ed. 2d 198 (2008).           “To determine whether this

       reasonable suspicion exists, a court must consider the totality of the circumstances[.]”

       State v. Kincaid, 147 N.C. App. 94, 97, 555 S.E.2d 294, 298 (2001) (citations and

       marks omitted). Reasonable articulable suspicion “must be based on specific and

       articulable facts, as well as the rational inferences from those facts, as viewed

       through the eyes of a reasonable, cautious officer, guided by his experience and

       training.” Watkins, 337 N.C. at 441, 446 S.E.2d at 70; see also State v. Fleming, 106

       N.C. App. 165, 171, 415 S.E.2d 782, 785 (1992) (holding a violation of the Fourth

       Amendment occurred when the detaining officer “had only a generalized suspicion

       that the defendant was engaged in criminal activity, based upon the time, place, and

       the officer’s knowledge that [the] defendant was unfamiliar to the area”).

¶ 12         Here, Chief Semrad had a “reasonable, articulable suspicion that a crime”—

       specifically, disorderly conduct at a school in violation of N.C.G.S. § 14-288.4(a)(6)—

       “may be underway.” Barnard, 184 N.C. App. at 29, 645 S.E.2d at 783. N.C.G.S. § 14-

       288.4(a)(6) reads:

                    (a) Disorderly conduct is a public disturbance intentionally
                    caused by any person who . . . :

                    (6) Disrupts, disturbs or interferes with the teaching of
                    students at any public or private educational institution or
                    engages in conduct which disturbs the peace, order or
                    discipline at any public or private educational institution
                    or on the grounds adjacent thereto.
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

       N.C.G.S. § 14-288.4(a)(6) (2019). Our Supreme Court has interpreted this language,

       stating “[w]hen the words ‘interrupt’ and ‘disturb’ are used in conjunction with the

       word ‘school,’ they mean to a person of ordinary intelligence a substantial interference

       with, disruption of and confusion of the operation of the school in its program of

       instruction and training of students there enrolled.” In re Eller, 331 N.C. 714, 718,

       417 S.E.2d 479, 482 (1992). We recently observed that this rule from In re Eller

       applies to both parts of the disjunctive—“[d]isrupts, disturbs or interferes with the

       teaching of students at any public or private educational institution” and “engages in

       conduct which disturbs the peace, order or discipline at any public or private

       educational institution or on the grounds adjacent thereto”—in N.C.G.S. § 14-

       288.4(a)(6). See State v. Humphreys, 275 N.C. App. 788, 793, 853 S.E.2d 789, 793

       (2020) (citing In re Eller, 331 N.C. at 718, 417 S.E.2d at 482; In re Grubb, 103 N.C.

       App. 452, 453-54, 405 S.E.2d 797, 798 (1991); In re Brown, 150 N.C. App. 127, 129-

       131, 562 S.E.2d 583, 585-586 (2002); In re Pineault, 152 N.C. App. 196, 199, 566

       S.E.2d 854, 857, disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 302, 570 S.E.2d 728 (2002); In re M.G.,

       156 N.C. App. 414, 416, 576 S.E.2d 398, 400-01 (2003); In re S.M., 190 N.C. App. 579,

       582-83, 660 S.E.2d 653, 655-56 (2008)).

¶ 13         Chief Semrad received information about a reported “disturbance” at the

       school, which “was almost unheard of with [Roman]” as he “had always gone out of

       his way not to involve law enforcement at the school.” Upon his arrival at the school,
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                           2022-NCCOA-6

                                         Opinion of the Court

       Chief Semrad noticed parents standing and looking towards Defendant’s truck, as

       well as someone inside the school looking out the window towards the truck, Roman

       standing near the truck, and Defendant “staring intently at [Chief Semrad] in the

       side view mirror.” Chief Semrad approached Defendant’s vehicle, and Defendant

       asked Chief Semrad if he was being detained. After noting that the police were

       alerted that there was “a disturbance at the school and people were staring at the

       vehicle,” Chief Semrad concluded Defendant “was the person involved in the

       disturbance” and “told [Defendant] that he was not free to leave, that he was

       detained.”

¶ 14         Furthermore, when asked whether he had intended to charge Defendant with

       anything after he detained him, Chief Semrad testified, “we were still investigating

       the disturbance. We’d only had – or I’d only had a very brief conversation with an

       upset principal. I needed more specifics, more details, and I needed to know who else

       was involved and what the entire situation was.” Chief Semrad instructed the other

       officers to obtain Defendant’s identification while he “continued talking to Principal

       Roman trying to gather information in regard[] to . . . disorderly conduct, and that

       involves disturbing the school, cussing in the school, threatening actions, threatening

       behavior, disrupting staff, disrupting students, and that’s definitely what I was

       hearing at the time from Mr. Roman.” Chief Semrad was asked about his purpose in

       detaining Defendant and testified to the following:
                                          STATE V. THOMPSON

                                             2022-NCCOA-6

                                           Opinion of the Court

                     [CHIEF SEMRAD:] It was clear to me that the school was
                     still disrupted.

                     [THE STATE:] And you talked about the disturbance at
                     school. You’ve been asked about your familiarity with
                     certain laws this morning -- or this afternoon. Are you
                     familiar with the law regarding public disturbance at
                     school?

                     [CHIEF SEMRAD:] I believe that’s North Carolina General
                     Statute 14-288, Section 4 of that statute.

                     [THE STATE:] Was that something that you were
                     investigating at the time?

                     [CHIEF SEMRAD:] Yes, sir.

¶ 15          Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, under the

       totality of the circumstances Chief Semrad had a reasonable articulable suspicion

       that there was an ongoing “substantial interference with, disruption of and confusion

       of the operation of the school in its program of instruction and training of students

       there enrolled” in violation of N.C.G.S. § 14-288.4(a)(6).4 In re Eller, 331 N.C. at 718,

       417 S.E.2d at 482 (1992). Chief Semrad lawfully detained Defendant for a brief

       investigatory stop.     Consequently, for the purpose of the motion to dismiss,

       Defendant’s detention was lawful and Chief Semrad was lawfully performing his

       duties.

              4 Defendant also argues that we should adopt a rule holding that Terry stops for a
       misdemeanor that has already been completed are per se unreasonable. However, viewing
       the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, the school disturbance was ongoing at
       the time of Defendant’s detention. As a result, we need not reach this question.
                                           STATE V. THOMPSON

                                              2022-NCCOA-6

                                            Opinion of the Court

                                       B. Probable Cause

¶ 16         Defendant next argues that, even if the initial detention was lawful, Chief

       Semrad “still acted beyond the scope of his duties by arresting [Defendant]” without

       probable cause.

¶ 17         Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(b)(1), “[a]n officer may arrest without a warrant any

       person who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a criminal offense

       . . . in the officer’s presence.”    N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(b)(1) (2019).   “An arrest is

       constitutionally valid whenever there exists probable cause to make it.” State v.

       Chadwick, 149 N.C. App. 200, 202, 560 S.E.2d 207, 209, disc. rev. denied, 355 N.C.

       752, 565 S.E.2d 672 (2002).

                    Probable cause is defined as those facts and circumstances
                    within an officer’s knowledge and of which he had
                    reasonably trustworthy information which are sufficient to
                    warrant a prudent man in believing that the suspect had
                    committed or was committing an offense. The [United
                    States] Supreme Court has explained that probable cause
                    does not demand any showing that such a belief be correct
                    or more likely true than false. A practical, nontechnical
                    probability that incriminating evidence is involved is all
                    that is required. A probability of illegal activity, rather
                    than a prima facie showing of illegal activity or proof of
                    guilt, is sufficient.

       State v. Biber, 365 N.C. 162, 168-69, 712 S.E.2d 874, 879 (2011) (marks and citations

       omitted).

¶ 18         Our Supreme Court has held that
                                           STATE V. THOMPSON

                                              2022-NCCOA-6

                                            Opinion of the Court

                      when a law enforcement officer, by word or actions,
                      indicates that an individual must remain in the officer’s
                      presence or come to the police station against his will, the
                      person is for all practical purposes under arrest if there is
                      a substantial imposition of the officer’s will over the
                      person’s liberty.

       See State v. Zuniga, 312 N.C. 251, 260, 322 S.E.2d 140, 145 (1984). Applying this

       principle here, an attempted arrest of Defendant occurred when Chief Semrad

       instructed Defendant to leave the truck, Defendant refused, and Chief Semrad and

       Officer Elder forcibly attempted to remove Defendant’s keys from the ignition. These

       actions amounting to an attempted arrest occurred within approximately six seconds.

       After this sequence of events, Chief Semrad and Officer Elder, by their actions, had

       indicated that Defendant would be coming to the police station against his will. Both

       Chief Semrad and Officer Elder were attempting to arrest Defendant at this point.

       See State v. Tilley, 44 N.C. App. 313, 317, 260 S.E.2d 794, 797 (1979) (finding there

       was more than one arresting officer based on the facts of the case.”).

¶ 19         Additionally, although Defendant’s argument focuses on Chief Semrad lacking

       the authority to arrest him, the language of the indictment states Defendant was

       fleeing to elude Officer Elder, not Chief Semrad.5 Despite both officers attempting to

       arrest Defendant, we focus only on the attempted arrest by Officer Elder here because

       Defendant was only indicted for fleeing to elude Officer Elder.

             5   We note that Defendant does not raise any argument related to the indictments.
                                           STATE V. THOMPSON

                                               2022-NCCOA-6

                                             Opinion of the Court

¶ 20            N.C.G.S. § 20-29 provides:

                       [a]ny person operating or in charge of a motor vehicle,
                       when requested by an officer in uniform . . . who shall
                       refuse to write his name for the purpose of identification or
                       to give his name and address and the name and address of
                       the owner of such vehicle, . . . or who shall refuse, on
                       demand of such officer or such other person, to produce his
                       license . . . shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

       N.C.G.S. § 20-29 (2019). The Record demonstrates Officer Phillips and Officer Elder

       both made a lawful request for Defendant’s driver’s license pursuant to N.C.G.S. §

       20-29.       Defendant refused these requests and instead stated his full name.

       Defendant’s refusal to comply with the officers’ request under N.C.G.S. § 20-29

       constituted a misdemeanor.6 Since a misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 20-29 occurred

       within Officer Phillips’ and Officer Elder’s presence, for the purpose of the motion to

       dismiss, Officer Elder had probable cause to arrest Defendant pursuant to N.C.G.S.

       § 15A-401(b)(1).

                6Defendant argues that he complied with N.C.G.S. § 20-29 by providing his name.
       We note that this statute lists several additional items not relevant to the issue here.
       However, each item listed in N.C.G.S. § 20-29 begins with “or who shall.” N.C.G.S. § 20-29
       (2019). Contrary to Defendant’s reading, a plain reading of this language indicates that each
       action following “or who shall” is a Class 2 Misdemeanor. See id.; see also State v. Hooper,
       358 N.C. 122, 125, 591 S.E.2d 514, 516 (2004) (citations and marks omitted) (“The primary
       goal of statutory construction is to effectuate the purpose of the legislature in enacting the
       statute. The first step in determining a statute’s purpose is to examine the statute’s plain
       language. Where the language of a statute is clear and unambiguous, there is no room for
       judicial construction and the courts must construe the statute using its plain meaning.”). As
       a result, Defendant did not comply with N.C.G.S. § 20-29 by providing his name when his
       license was requested.
                                        STATE V. THOMPSON

                                            2022-NCCOA-6

                                          Opinion of the Court

                                     C. N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e)

¶ 21         Finally, Defendant argues the police officers failed to comply with N.C.G.S. §

       15A-401(e) by failing to provide Defendant with notice of their authority and purpose

       for arresting him, and improperly using force to enter his vehicle.            Defendant

       maintains that, as a result, the officers were no longer in the lawful performance of

       their duties when they attempted to arrest him and use force to enter his vehicle.

¶ 22         N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e) provides in relevant part:

                    (1) A law-enforcement officer may enter private premises
                    or a vehicle to effect an arrest when:

                    a. . . . the officer is authorized to arrest a person without a
                    warrant or order having been issued,

                    b. The officer has reasonable cause to believe the person to
                    be arrested is present, and

                    c. The officer has given, or made reasonable effort to give,
                    notice of his authority and purpose to an occupant thereof,
                    unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the giving
                    of such notice would present a clear danger to human life.

                    (2) The law-enforcement officer may use force to enter the
                    premises or vehicle if he reasonably believes that
                    admittance is being denied or unreasonably delayed, or if
                    he is authorized under subsection (e)(1)c to enter without
                    giving notice of his authority and purpose.

       N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e) (2019).

¶ 23         Officer Elder told Defendant to hand his license over or he would go to jail.

       According to Officer Elder’s testimony, Defendant then asked, “under what North
                                       STATE V. THOMPSON

                                           2022-NCCOA-6

                                         Opinion of the Court

       Carolina state law,” to which Officer Elder replied for “obstructing my investigation”

       and “attempted to tell [Defendant] that it was [N.C.G.S. §] 14-223. Resisting and

       obstructing.” Officer Elder testified that he “was also going to add that it was under

       [N.C.G.S. §] 20-29 which requires if you’re operating a motor vehicle and a law

       enforcement officer requests your ID, you must give it,” but Defendant “attempted to

       talk over [Officer Elder and] admonished [him].” In the light most favorable to the

       State, the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e)(1)(a)-(b) are satisfied here because

       Officer Elder was authorized to arrest Defendant without a warrant pursuant to

       N.C.G.S. § 20-29 and N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(b)(1), as discussed in Part B above, and

       knew Defendant was present. Additionally, Officer Elder made reasonable efforts to

       give Defendant notice that he was going to be arrested for “unlawfully resist[ing],

       delay[ing] or obstruct[ing] a public officer in discharging or attempting to discharge

       a duty of his office” as required under N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e)(1)(c). N.C.G.S. § 14-223

       (2019).

¶ 24         Further, Chief Semrad testified he instructed Defendant to step out of his

       vehicle and Defendant refused. Chief Semrad then attempted to open Defendant’s

       door; however, it was locked, and Defendant again refused to get out of his vehicle.

       Thereafter, Officer Elder testified he saw Defendant grab the gearshift, “[a]nd in

       order to try and prevent any escape [Officer Elder] [instinctively] reached for the

       keys[.]” Chief Semrad and Officer Elder both testified that Defendant refused their
                                           STATE V. THOMPSON

                                              2022-NCCOA-6

                                            Opinion of the Court

       entry into his vehicle on two occasions and Officer Elder believed he needed to

       confiscate Defendant’s keys to prevent Defendant’s escape, and the jury could have

       concluded that the officers reasonably believed admittance was being denied or

       unreasonably delayed. Accordingly, for the purpose of the motion to dismiss and in

       the light most favorable to the State, the officers were authorized to “use force to enter

       the . . . vehicle” and did not act unlawfully in doing so. N.C.G.S. § 15A-401(e)(2)

       (2019).

¶ 25         Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, the issue of

       whether the officers were performing their lawful duties was “sufficient for jury

       consideration.” Scott, 356 N.C. at 597, 573 S.E.2d at 869. The trial court did not err

       by denying Defendant’s motion to dismiss. See Mahatha, 267 N.C. App. at 360, 832

       S.E.2d at 919 (holding the trial court did not err by denying the defendant’s motion

       to dismiss for insufficient evidence when the officer “was lawfully performing his

       duties at the time of the stop”).

                                            CONCLUSION

¶ 26         In the light most favorable to the State, there was sufficient evidence that the

       officers acted within the lawful performance of their duties, satisfying the challenged

       element of N.C.G.S. § 20-141.5(a). Accordingly, the trial court did not err in denying

       Defendant’s motion to dismiss the charge of felony fleeing to elude arrest.

             NO ERROR.
                      STATE V. THOMPSON

                         2022-NCCOA-6

                       Opinion of the Court

Judges DIETZ and GORE concur.