Wet Leaves Trip Up Stolen Vehicle Suspect in N.C. Police Chase
What to know
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A stolen van pursuit in Union County began when Monroe police attempted a traffic stop at a Walmart, prompting the driver to flee and initiate a multi-jurisdiction chase.
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Authorities said the suspect drove recklessly at high speeds, crossed into oncoming traffic and damaged property before stop sticks disabled the vehicle.
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The driver slipped on wet leaves while trying to flee on foot and was taken into custody.
A multi-jurisdiction police chase came to a clumsy end when the driver tried to escape on foot and slipped in wet leaves, according to the investigators in Union County, North Carolina.
It happened around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the chase began when a van reported as stolen out of Mecklenburg County was seen by Monroe police at a Walmart on West Roosevelt Boulevard, officials said in a Feb. 24 news release.
“When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver later identified as Joshua Orr fled, initiating a vehicle pursuit,” the Union County Sheriff’s Office reports.
“During the pursuit, Orr drove erratically and showed blatant disregard for public safety. He crossed into the opposite lane of travel, drove through public vehicular areas, and failed to obey posted speed limits. ... Due to the severity of Orr’s driving behavior and the immediate threat to the public, deputies determined the vehicle needed to be stopped as quickly as possible.”
Spiked sticks were tossed into the path of the van, resulting in the tires being deflated. However, Orr drove on, resulting in one front tire flying off as the van neared Central Piedmont Community College’s Levine Campus, officials said.
“He then made a wrong turn onto CPCC Lane, a dead-end roadway. Orr drove through a gate on school property, causing damage to his vehicle and patrol vehicles involved in the pursuit. He eventually brought the vehicle to a stop,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Orr attempted to flee on foot ... but his escape plan was foiled by a wet pile of leaves. He slipped, fell, and was taken into custody without further incident.”
An investigation revealed 46-year-old Orr lives in Concord and is “wanted as a fugitive from South Carolina and has an outstanding probation violation warrant in North Carolina,” Monroe police said.
He has been charged with:
- Felony fleeing to elude law enforcement
- Felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle
- Speeding
- Two counts of injury to personal property
- Reckless driving
- Wrong-way driving on a dual lane highway
- Failure to stop at a red light
- Unsafe passing
Court documents report the chase reached speeds that were more than double the speed limit in Monroe and unincorporated areas of Union County.
Monroe is about a 30-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte.
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