PRESS RELEASE

    On the night of August 12, 2011, Sgt. Charles Rose of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division was patrolling in the Aurora area. At approximately 9:04 p.m., Sgt. Rose observed an occupied vehicle stationary on the shoulder of the road near Mary's Chapel Church Road and Walker Road. As Sgt. Rose approached the vehicle to check on the occupant, the driver drove away. Rose continued to observe the vehicle in the area and noticed additional suspicious behavior before the driver fled the area at a high rate of speed.

    Sgt. Rose activated his emergency equipment and attempted to catch up to the vehicle. The driver made several quick turns and continued to drive at a high rate of speed. Sgt. Rose caught up to the vehicle near the intersection of Mary's Chapel Church Road and Highway 306 South. The driver failed to stop and continued to drive erratically.

    After turning onto Highway 306 then West Road, the driver stopped at a residence and exited his vehicle. Sgt. Rose approached the suspect and gave commands for the driver to stop and show his hands. The driver continued to walk toward the residence and failed to follow the commands. Sgt. Rose then tasered the suspect and took him into custody. Ammunition and a knife were discovered in the suspect's pockets and a rifle was found in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

    As a result of evidence collected during the incident, Sgt. Rose charged Donald Ray Johnson, age 57, of Mary's Chapel Church Road in Edward with Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, Driving While Impaired, Resisting a Public Officer, Speeding 75 in 45 mph Zone, and Aggressive Driving. Johnson was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $3,500.00 secured bond.