JCSO: Driver, Passenger Arrested After Brief Parking Lot Chase

CLEVELAND COMMUNITY – A routine traffic stop in a busy retail area turned into a dangerous chase Sunday morning, ending with two Clayton men in custody on drug and felony charges.

Around 8:36 a.m. on Nov. 16, a Johnston County deputy stopped a 2009 Mitsubishi in the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot on Cleveland Crossing Drive after noticing the vehicle was displaying a stolen license plate.

As the deputy approached, the driver suddenly sped off, racing across the Lowe’s parking lot and into the Walmart parking area. Authorities said the car reached speeds of about 60 mph in a 15 mph zone.

Moments later, the driver abandoned the vehicle and ran. Deputies located him lying in the grass near an apartment complex and detained him, reportedly finding a pair of brass knuckles in his possession. The passenger remained in the vehicle, where deputies later discovered suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, identified as 37-year-old Jesse Matthew Woodall of Lee Street, Clayton, was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, possession of a controlled substance, failure to heed light or siren, reckless driving with wanton disregard, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting a public officer, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The passenger, 37-year-old Kenneth Michael Chaulk of Randolph Drive, Clayton, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

No injuries were reported.