Posted on 01/15/2004 3:35:42 PM PST by Dubya
Concerned citizens helped authorities corral a naked driver Wednesday morning on Carolina Beach Road.
The incident started about 8:30 a.m. on South College Road, when a motorist noticed a man driving erratically with a small child in his lap. The man pulled over, got out of his car and began disrobing as he walked away, said Maj. David Smithey of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
He was later identified as Thomas James Dixon, 41, of Bernhardt Court.
As Mr. Dixon walked off, a citizen removed his unharmed 2-year-old child from the car. Mr. Dixon returned and drove off in his birthday suit without the child, Maj. Smithey said.
Approaching Monkey Junction, Mr. Dixon’s car struck the rear of a New Hanover County-owned truck and kept going. As Wilmington police attempted to find the car, a retired state trooper driving on South College Road called 911 with the tag number and vehicle location.
Sheriff’s deputies took up the chase as the naked Mr. Dixon continued through Monkey Junction down Carolina Beach Road.
“We got behind him, and he failed to acknowledge the blue lights and sirens,” Maj. Smithey said.
Deputies moved in when Mr. Dixon had to stop in congested traffic and boxed him in with their patrol cars. “We told him to turn the car off, and he cursed us and he refused verbal commands,” Maj. Smithey said.
Mr. Dixon was pulled out of the car, handcuffed and partially dressed by deputies. Mr. Dixon will be psychologically evaluated, Maj. Smithey said.
Mr. Dixon was treated for foot abrasions that happened when he was taken into custody. He was charged by deputies with failure to stop for a blue light and siren. Other charges may be pending from Wilmington police and the highway patrol, Maj. Smithey said.
The child was in his mother’s custody later Wednesday.
Witnesses were a big help during the bizarre incident, Maj. Smithey said.
“Citizens getting involved prevented something more serious from happening,” he said.
Maj. Smithey has seen many strange sights during his law enforcement career.
“This is right there at the top,” he said.
Monkey Junction
At the southern end of College Road (N.C. Highway 132) where it junctions with Carolina Beach Road (U.S. HIghway 421), you'll find an area that has been rife with heated controversy recently. Known for many years as Monkey Junction, this rapidly expanding area has experienced enormous growth both commercially and residentially, some of it fairly upscale. Some of the residents, especially ones more recently moving into the area, feel that the name "Monkey Junction" does not convey the image they'd like to have for their community. They prefer "Myrtle Grove," which is an area east of Monkey Junction. Ever sensitive to the desires of their customers, the U.S. Postal Service dutifully changed the name of their postal station in the area from Monkey Junction to Myrtle Grove. However, the New Hanover County commissioners, ever sensitive to the desire of most residents of the county to preserve our historical heritage, have officially designated the area as Monkey Junction, and signs to that effect will soon be planted. The name Monkey Junction harkens back to the 1920s when the bus to Carolina Beach stopped at this intersectiKure/Ft.Fisheron and passengers were allowed to get off. An enterprising gas station nearby featured live monkeys as an attraction to draw customers. When the driver stopped, he announced, "Monkey Junction," and that's how it has been known ever since.
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