Murphy – A homeless man from Cornelius was booked on several charges, including two felonies, after leading law enforcement on a chase on U.S. 19 on Friday afternoon.
Joshua Darrin Nuttall, 34, was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center; his booking sheet describes him as homeless. Nuttall remained in custody as of Monday in lieu of $40,000 secured bond.
He was arrested for flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon, both felonies, and four misdemeanors – driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, driving with license revoked, and hit and run leaving scene with property damage, according to court paperwork filed by N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Rocky Neal.
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According to the magistrate’s order, Nuttall “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did operate a motor vehicle on a highway, U.S. 19, while fleeing, attempting to elude a law enforcement officer … in the lawful performance of the officer’s duties while attempting to initiate a traffic stop for illegal U-turn to avoid checking station.”
Neal said Nuttall was speeding in excess of 15 mph over the legal speed limit and in excess of the posted speed limit in a highway work zone.
He added that Nuttall was driving “negligently leading to an accident causing property damage in excess of $1,000,” while his driver’s license was revoked.
Nuttall allegedly had a 9mm handgun with him, despite being a convicted felon for a previous felony elude arrest conviction
out of Lincoln County
in 2022. He allegedly crashed into another
vehicle during the chase and continued to flee law enforcement.
During his arraignment, Nuttall kept his head down and held his head with his hands over his ears, according to court documents.