Slow-Speed Moped Chase Ends Right Where Suspect Promised

FOUR OAKS, N.C. – A late-night pursuit in southern Johnston County may not have broken any speed records, but it still ended with multiple charges for a Four Oaks man.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy sheriff was conducting traffic enforcement near the intersection of U.S. 701 South and Strickland’s Crossroads Road around 11:11 p.m. Tuesday when a moped passed by without a license plate and no working taillight.

The deputy attempted to stop the rider, later identified as 45-year-old Joey Lee Moye of the 8000 block of U.S. 701 South, but authorities said he had other plans.

With blue lights and siren activated, the deputy reportedly tried several times to get Moye to pull over. At one point during the roughly three-mile pursuit, the deputy pulled alongside the moped rider and ordered him to stop.

According to authorities, Moye responded that he would not stop until he got home. That is exactly what happened.

Traveling at speeds topping out around 22 miles per hour, the pursuit continued until Moye turned into his driveway and drove behind the residence. Deputies said he then attempted to flee on foot, though the foot chase reportedly lasted much shorter than the moped pursuit.

During the arrest, officers allegedly located suspected methamphetamine.

Moye was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, failure to heed light and siren, resisting a public officer, possession of methamphetamine, driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle without liability insurance, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

The moped was impounded following the incident.

Moye was transported to the Johnston County Detention Center and held under a $20,000 secured bond.

No injuries were reported.