Update – 4:00pm: The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Raleigh has announced that Raymond Lee Bryant Jr. will face federal charges for the carjacking on I-95 near Dunn on Thursday.
A federal criminal complaint was filed today charging Bryant with carjacking and carrying and brandishing a firearm in relation to carjacking. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, NC Highway Patrol and Harnett County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
The charge against Bryant is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative, which was recently implemented to assign federal prosecutors to regions to work with local law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
DUNN – A man authorities said caused a wreck in a stolen truck, shot into a tractor
trailer, carjacked the driver of a pickup truck, then led law enforcement officers on a 50 mile chase made his first court appearance on Friday.
Raymond Lee Bryant Jr., 44, of Roseboro appeared before a judge and declined a court appointed attorney.
Around 4:20pm Thursday, Harnett County authorities said Bryant was driving erratically northbound on I-95 near Dunn when he caused a wreck. Once traffic stopped, Bryant allegedly pulled out a shotgun and fired into the cab of a tractor trailer that had stopped for the crash. Miraculously, the driver of the semi wasn’t hurt.
Bryant attempted to drive off in the big truck but it jackknifed as he was backing up. Bryant then approached the driver of a pickup pulling a trailer and at gunpoint demanded he exit the vehicle. Bryant then sped away northbound on I-95.
Johnston County law enforcement officers spotted Bryant near the 98 mile marker in Selma and began pursuing the truck. The chase ended near the 148 mile marker in Nash County when the truck ran out of gas.
Bryant is being held on multiple state charges. Federal ATF agents have also been called in to assist with the investigation. No injuries were reported during the accident, carjacking or pursuit.
Photos by John Payne
