A Benson man is facing several charges following a car chase through Downtown Smithfield that ended near Smithfield Middle School.
Friday afternoon, a Johnston County sheriff’s detective spotted David Glenn Thornton, 45, of T-Bar Road, Benson operating a car on Industrial Park Drive. The detective knew Thornton had several outstanding warrants and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, Thornton refused to pull over and led officers on a chase through several motel parking lots along Industrial Park Drive, then onto Market Street (US 70) to Third Street, then onto Buffalo Road before sliding off the roadway near the middle school.
Thornton jumped and ran on foot but was quickly apprehended.
He was fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving and driving without a license. He was also served with a number of outstanding warrants including larceny, larceny of a firearm, and felony conspiracy.
Thornton was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $106,000 bond.
