Arrest Made Following Vehicle Pursuit from North Wilkesboro to Hays

At approximately 5:20 a.m. on September 17, North Wilkesboro Police Department officers responded to a report of a suspicious person displaying a firearm in the parking lot of the Rocket Wash Carwash on NC Hwy 268. Sergeant Rocky Whitley arrived in the area and observed the suspect vehicle, a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup without a displayed North Carolina registration plate, exiting the car wash onto Hwy 268 East. The vehicle had struck a protective barrier on the property, causing damage. Sgt. Whitley attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to yield to lights and sirens, turning left onto Fairplains Road and reaching speeds up to 77 mph. The vehicle then turned right onto NC Hwy 18 North, reaching speeds of up to 97 mph. The pursuit continued onto Yellow Banks Road, Haymeadow Extension, and Arlie Myers Store Road. On Arlie Myers Store Road, the suspect vehicle struck three unoccupied parked vehicles at a residence. After traveling a short distance further, the vehicle came to a stop in a ditch. The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area but was apprehended by Sgt. Whitley a short distance away. Sgt. Whitley was assisted by NWPD Officers Adolpho Gaspar and Brendan Prevette. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated the vehicle collision involving the parked cars. The pursuit lasted approximately 12 minutes and covered roughly 11 miles. No citizens or officers were injured. The suspect was evaluated at Atrium Health Wilkes Medical Center and released with no injuries.

Suspect Information:
Dustin Scott Cleary, 30, of Thurmond, NC.

Charges:

  - Felony Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle
  - Driving While Impaired
  - Reckless Driving with Wanton Disregard
  - Drive Left of Center
  - Drive Left of Center and Fail to Pass on Right
  - Failure to Stop at a Steady Red Light
  - Drive Wrong Way on Dual-Lane Highway
  - Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Collision
  - Speeding in Excess of 65 mph
  - Carrying a Concealed Weapon (2 counts)
  - Hit and Run Causing Property Damage
  - Failure to Report Accident
  - Possess Marijuana up to 1/2 oz
  - Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  - Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
  - Simple Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
  - Resisting a Public Officer (2 counts)
  - Injury to Personal Property (2 counts)

Seized Items:
At the time of the arrest, the suspect was in possession of a replica .357 revolver CO2 pellet gun, a replica XCP semi-automatic CO2 pellet gun, Alprazolam pills, marijuana, edible psychedelics, glass smoking pipes with white residue, and five rounds of reloadable pellet ammunition.

Status:
As of Friday morning, the subject remains in custody at the Wilkes County Jail under a $25,000 bond. 

break-in but no theft

There was a break-in but no theft reported. According to the report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office, someone entered a house in Moravian Falls. It appears someone used a prying bar to break open a basement window. The main part of the house was entered and multiple rooms were apparently gone through; however, no property was reported stolen. There is no word on suspects at this time.

another case of obtaining property by false pretense

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate yet another case of obtaining property by false pretense or swindling. According to the report filed this month, a Moravian Falls resident was the victim. Over $10,000 was stolen. Two suspects, a white male and white female, were listed in that theft. Charges are pending further investigation.

“Touch A Truck Wilkes” is Saturday

Wilkesboro Police remind us that the “Touch A Truck Wilkes” is Saturday, September 19, from 10 AM–2 PM at the Wilkes Rotary Park Fairgrounds. The event is FREE and will feature 100+ vehicles and pieces of equipment, hands-on activities, agriculture, career and workforce opportunities, emergency vehicles, food, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Bring the kids out to explore 100+ vehicles and pieces of equipment, meet local professionals, discover skilled trades and careers, and enjoy hands-on activities.

Wilkes County School Board meeting

This month’s Wilkes County School Board meeting highlighted some accomplishments across Wilkes County Schools. Over $48,000 was awarded by the Wilkes Education Foundation to support 35 creative classroom projects. That brings the Foundation’s total to more than $760,000 invested in Wilkes County classrooms since 1985.  The Wilkes School Board also celebrated the new school leaders and congratulated Dylan Johnson, Natalie Marley, and Matt Taylor on their new roles. The Board also thanked the local School Resource Officers for keeping schools safe and supporting students every day.

shooting a Columbus County sheriff’s deputy

The suspect accused of shooting a Columbus County sheriff’s deputy after a traffic stop Wednesday morning has been arrested following an all-day manhunt. SBI Director Chip Hawley thanked all the agencies that came together in Columbus County in successfully capturing the suspect who is now in jail charged with numerous charges, including attempted first-degree murder of a Columbus County deputy. The Columbus County deputy that was shot in the arm is recovering in an area hospital.

State Highway Patrol proudly welcomed 31 graduates

The State Highway Patrol proudly welcomed 31 graduates at a ceremony held recently for the 12^th State Highway Patrol Basic Transition School. The ceremony celebrates 8 weeks of extensive training for former members of the NCDMV License and Theft Bureau, now a part of the State Highway Patrol. These members will report to their respective duty stations in the coming days and will assume roles in the Investigative Services Unit of the State Highway Patrol. 

assaulted a woman and police officers

He assaulted a woman and police officers. According to North Wilkesboro Police, they were called concerning a strange odor Monday evening. Police, firefighters, and EMS responded and determined the odor was pepper spray. A female victim reported being hit and sprayed by a 37-year-old North Wilkesboro man. Officers found the suspect near the scene. When they attempted to arrest him, he hit one officer and swung at two other officers. In the struggle, three North Wilkesboro Officers and the suspect fell down an embankment. The man was finally taken into custody. Charges include assault, resisting arrest, and drug possession.

a car chase and foot chase that ended with two arrests

It was a car chase and foot chase that ended with two arrests. North Wilkesboro Police were conducting a license check when a vehicle turned around and sped away. Officers pursued from Hwy 115 to Damascus Church Road and to Bouchelle Road, when the driver and passenger stopped the car to flee on foot. Officers found the two hiding under a mobile home after noticing an opening in the underpinning. The driver was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, DWI, and speeding. The passenger was charged with resisting an officer.

break-in and theft of guns

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office is investigating a break-in and theft in which the only items stolen were guns. Six firearms including 5 rifles and one pump-action shotgun were stolen. The thief also grabbed two boxes of ammo. The stolen guns and ammo were estimated over $6000.  No suspects were listed with this report and the investigation is ongoing.