Woman arrested for helping escape, squad car stolen

Waitress helped suspect to flee after deputy attacked, police say
By Pat Reese
Staff writer

A 21-year-old waitress was arrested Wednesday by Cumberland
County officers who say she helped John Delvin Brooks escape
Tuesday after he attacked a deputy and stole his squad car.

Patricia Ann Delorenzo, of Southgate Road, was being held 
on $25,000 bond.

Delorenzo is charged as an accessory after the fact of 
robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping,
larceny of a firearm, larceny of a motor vehicle and assault
with a firearm on a government officer.

A warrant says Delorenzo knew Brooks had assaulted Parker 
and helped him avoid capture by picking him up in her
vehicle and taking him from the area.

Deputies were still searching Wednesday night for the 
21-year-old Brooks, who assaulted Deputy Charles "Chuck" Parker 
on Sumac Circle in LaFayette Village about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Parker, 25, was attempting to arrest Brooks on a court order 
when he was attacked. He said Brooks was choking him and 
he almost lost consciousness as he attempted to spray the 
suspect with pepper spray.

The spray hit the deputy and he collapsed.

Parker said Brooks grabbed his 9 mm pistol and threatened
to shoot him before driving away in his patrol car.

Parker was treated at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. 
Attendants washed out his eyes and treated him for 
scrapes and bruises. He was not seriously hurt.

Anyone having information about Brooks is asked to contact 
the Major Crimes Division of the Sheriff's Department.

The squad car was found abandoned on a farm off Strickland 
Bridge Road. Deputies, assisted by state troopers and Hoke 
County officers, searched the area for several hours but
Brooks had slipped away.


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