Out of county pursuit comes to Morganton

On Wednesday morning, January 18th, Public Safety Officers were asked to assist the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office with a vehicle pursuit that was coming into the city. They were pursuing a stolen vehicle from Caldwell County. MDPS units moved into position to assist near Lenoir Road and Shadowline Drive. Once there PSO M. Gates deployed Stop Sticks to deflate the remaining two tires on the vehicle, which had traveled from Lenoir on two tires and two rims after striking stop sticks there. 

After a successful deployment the vehicle continued into town on Lenoir Road, making a right Avery Avenue with Caldwell County and Burke County Deputies in pursuit. The suspect stopped the stolen 1993 Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Avery Avenue and N. Green Street after fire broke out in the engine compartment as well as the right rear due to friction from the rims on deflated tires. The offender, Joshua E. McClure of Hudson then jumped and ran from the vehicle with officers in pursuit on foot. He continued down Avery Avenue making a right onto N. Sterling Street before being taken into custody on the sidewalk.

MDPS Stations 1 & 3 responded to the vehicle fire and quickly extinguished the flames. The roadway was shut down for approximately an hour as units worked to get the vehicle towed for evidence purposes and medical treatment was administered for the offender. McClure was transported to UNC Health by ambulance. Upon release he will be facing a list of charges from CCSO, as well as MDPS. Agencies assisting were Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, Burke County Sheriff's Office, Burke County EMS, NCSHP, and MDPS.