Teen Driver Arrested, Stolen Camaro Recovered After High Speed Chase

WILSON’S MILLS – A 19 year-old driver is facing a long list of charges following a high speed chase on US 70 in Johnston County.

Tuesday evening, a Wilson’s Mills police officer attempted to stop the operator of a Chevy Camaro for speeding. The driver refused to stop and a chase ensued. The pursuit reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour as the teenage driver sped eastbound on US 70.

Minutes later, pursuing officers lost sight of the Camaro on US 70, east of I-95.

Johnston County deputies who were responding to assist, located a wrecked Camaro in a ditch on Creech’s Mill Road near US 70 and determined it was the vehicle involved in the chase.

The male driver and a juvenile female passenger had already jumped and ran from the car into a wooded area.

Wilson’s Mills Police were joined by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and State Highway Patrol as they conducted a ground search for the two individuals using a K-9. Four Oaks Police responded with a drone to aid in the search.

The female passenger was quickly located. It took some time to find the driver but he was eventually apprehended.

The driver, identified as Alexis Rodriguez-Sandoval of Raleigh, was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the accident. The female passenger suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalization. She was released to the custody of a parent.

Wilson’s Mills Police Chief A.Z. Williams said, “These high speed chases are becoming all too common.”

The Camaro had been reported stolen to Greenville, NC police. The license plate on the car had been stolen in Raleigh.

Police said tools used to program key fobs were found inside the stolen car. Chief Williams said police are seeing these tools more frequently, as they are commonly used by criminals to steal vehicles.

Once released from the hospital, Rodriquez-Sandoval will be served with warrants charging him with fleeing to elude arrest, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, reckless driving to endanger, speeding, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.