Impaired Driver Leads Officer on Short Chase

On Tuesday March 19^th, 2024 at 23:40, an Officer with Morganton Department of Public Safety observed a Silver Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck run a red light at the intersection of West Union St. and West Fleming Dr. at a high rate of speed. The officer had the green light and proceeded to catch up to the pick-up truck which was attempting to evade the officer. Once the officer caught up to the Silver pick-up truck, the truck attempted to lose the officer by pulling into the Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church located off West Union St. The pick-up truck then went around the rear of the church making his way back onto West Union St. The driver then made a left turn into the Union Square Apartments where he still continued to drive reckless through the parking lot of the apartments and made his way back onto Asheville St. While on Asheville St., the driver of the pick-up turned into the church parking lot of Asheville Street Baptist Church where he was taken into custody. The driver was arrested and identified as John Juan Jose, 31, of Morganton. Jose was charged with the following offenses:

• Felony Flee Elude Arrest
• Reckless Driving to Endanger
• Driving During Revocation (Impaired Revocation)
• Driving While Impaired
• Fail to Stop at a Steady Red Light
• Simple Possession of Schedule VI
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Resist, Delay and Obstruct an Officer

The vehicle that Jose was driving was seized pursuant to NCGS 20-141.5. Jose received a $10,000 secured bond and a first court appearance on March 21^st, 2024. The Burke County Sheriffs Office assisted within the investigation.