CLAYTON – Two people were arrested following an incident at CVS Pharmacy at Flowers Plantation, on NC 42 East at Buffalo Road, that led to a high speed pursuit.
At 1:56pm Saturday, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity in the parking lot. The caller said a gray Nissan car, operated by a man wearing an orange ski mask, had backed up to the front door. A female passenger reportedly got out of the car and told the driver to back up closer to the door.
Deputies were immediately dispatched. Before they arrived, the female allegedly ran out the business with $192 in merchandise, jumped in a vehicle and left the scene.
A responding deputy spotted the Nissan on NC 42 traveling towards Clayton. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over. A chase ensued along NC 42, US 70 through Clayton, and into Wake County.
While traveling on Bethlehem Road at Poole Road, the fleeing suspect drove off the highway, ran through a red light, sideswiped a car, then struck the back of a marked patrol cruiser. The driver reportedly tried to run away on foot but was immediately caught.
The driver, identified as Joshua Quraun Walker, age 32, of Orchard Hollow Lane, Raleigh, and passenger, Jessica Marie Charon, age 38, of Mudham Road, Wendell were arrested. They were evaluated at the scene by Wake County EMS before being transported to the Johnston County Detention Center.
Walker faces multiple charges including fleeing to elude arrest, speeding 100 mph in a 55 mph zone, driving on a revoked license, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, unsafe movement, and driving left of center. At the time of Saturday’s incident, Walker was wanted on warrants from the Wendell Police Department for fleeing to elude arrest, second-degree kidnapping, speeding and driving on a revoked license.
Walker was out of jail on bond awaiting trial for two separate incidents in Raleigh in September 2023. In one incident he was charged with indecent exposure and the other with injuring/tampering with a vehicle.
Charon was charged with misdemeanor larceny.
No injuries were reported.
The stolen merchandise from CVS was recovered. The Nissan was seized.
At 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon to be driving at high speed along NC 42 and then Highway Business 70 and running red lights — wow!
Incredible that no citizen out running errands, etc. was hurt, or worse.
I agree with NC Gal. Chasing a vehicle at 100 mph through Clayton on Hwy 70 in the middle of the day for a simple shoplifting larceny. Of course they LEOs did not know it was larceny at the time, but there were no additional calls for a major crime having occurred at the CVS. I’m just glad that no one was hurt by this high-speed chase at this time of day. Someone should have called this off.
I, for one, am thankful that the officers chased and caught these scumbags. These people think if they drive fast enough the officers will back off. This should show other would-be scumbags that running does not work. I’m just glad that this scumbag didn’t kill anyone. Also, why was the guy out of jail with that many prior charges?
Jessica, I agree. Just so they are prosecuted to the full extent and not let go. Letting someone run sends the message that as long as you drive stupid enough you can commit whatever crime you want and get away.
The landfill accepts trash.
Iktr!!!!
Another one out of jail that shouldn’t have been!!!
38? Looks more like 58. Stay away from meth
Try that in a small town, see how far you make down the road.
Where do they think they are California! We’re not going to accept that in North Carolina!
And a Dem judge and DA will have them walking the streets by tomorrow, if not already.
There should be a minimum full two year incarceration for those running. Increase to a minimum full five years if an innocent person is hurt. Life w/o parole if an innocent person is killed.
Stay out of Johnston County. We don’t need this larceny crap at our community retail establishments! I see this stuff happening down at the Outlet, and that is bad enough. They didn’t deserve EMS either. I’m glad that they were chased down, also. The police know their limitations for chases. These lowlife thieves need to learn that common good citizens(ie. HUMANITY) don’t TAKE from others and thus society! Grow-up, clean-up, and quit thinking you are owed everything in your stinking selfish lives!