Murphy – More details have emerged in the arrest of a homeless man who was booked on several charges including two felonies after leading law enforcement on a chase on U.S. 19 on Nov. 14.
Joshua Darrin Nuttall, 34, of Cornelius, 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.
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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. Nuttall’s arrest was reported in the Nov. 19 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
According to a release from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, members of the sheriff’s office, Murphy Police Department and Highway Patrol were conducting a traffic check at the intersection of U.S. 64 East and Harshaw Connector when “a driver attempted to evade law enforcement.”
“As the vehicle approached the checkpoint, the driver executed an aggressive U-turn and fled at a high rate of speed,” according to the release. “A trooper and deputy initiated a pursuit as the suspect continued to disregard commands to stop.
“During the chase, the driver entered oncoming traffic on West U.S. 64 and made multiple U-turns in an attempt to evade capture, creating significant danger to the public.
“The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle was involved in a collision. The driver then fled on foot into a wooded area near the local urgent care facility. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Emergency Management deployed drones utilizing thermal imaging, successfully locating the suspect within the wooded terrain. A trooper and deputy entered the area and apprehended the individual.”
A firearm was also recovered at the scene.
Sheriff Dustin Smith commended the swift, coordinated actions of all agencies involved.
“Their teamwork and dedication ensured that this dangerous offender was quickly removed from our streets,” he said.