SMITHFIELD – A convicted felon with a long criminal history is behind bars following an altercation with law enforcement officers. It started around 10:15pm Sunday.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a disturbance at a home in the 1900 block of Baker’s Chapel Road in the Brogden community. Officers were told by the caller they heard a gunshot and a woman scream.
When deputies arrived they reportedly located Louis Melvin “Zipper” Hill, 54, of Braswell Road, Smithfield sitting in the driver’s seat of pickup truck backed in the driveway. A deputy approached the truck and saw Hill reaching around inside. The deputy then saw Hill holding a pistol, which he began to point at the officer.
The officer was able to grab Hill and as they scuffled, Hill put the truck in gear and sped out of the driveway. The officer ran back to his patrol car and began pursuing the truck. Other law enforcement officers, already on the way to the disturbance, quickly joined in the chase.
Authorities said the pursuit reached speeds of 107 mph in a 55 mph zone as it traveled along several rural roadways.
While on Braswell Road, the suspect drove through several fields before Hill jumped and ran into a wooded area. A sheriff’s K-9 responded to the scene and was able to track Hill, who was detained without further incident.
Deputies said they recovered the handgun he allegedly pointed at the officer from inside the truck. Suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was also located in the vehicle.
Hill was booked in at the Johnston County Jail early Monday morning and held on a $1 million bond. He faces 10 criminal charges including assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, assault by pointing a gun, possession of a firearm by a felon, fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving, speeding, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia.
