Joshua Taylor Stokes is charged with kidnapping
According to police, a kidnapping turned into a high-speed police chase across the state of North Carolina and now 36-year-old Joshua Taylor Stokes is in Wake County Jail without bail.
According to police there, it started in the Chesapeake, Virginia, area, about 180 miles north of Wake County.
The victim, a woman with whom Stokes had a close relationship, called 911 and told authorities he would not let her out of the vehicle, police spokesman Officer Leo Kosinski told Law&Crime.
Authorities say Joshua Taylor Stoke led police on a high-speed chase through North Carolina while kidnapping a woman. (Mugshot: Wake County Sheriff’s Office)
He said investigators used phone pings to locate the vehicle and determine that the driver had driven into nearby North Carolina. The officers contacted their colleagues there.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, around 4:12 p.m. Sunday, a trooper attempted to stop a purple Dodge Challenger going 146 mph in a 65 mph zone on US 64 near mile marker 466 in Edgecombe County. Authorities gave chase when the driver refused to stop, they said.
The pursuit continued west along US 64 through Nash and Franklin counties and eventually Wake County.
Stokes got out on Lizard Lick Road but lost control and struck a guardrail. Authorities arrested him and also found a woman in the car. Authorities note that it was her vehicle and that she had an active domestic violence protection order against the defendant.
The victim and defendant were taken to Wake Medical Center for minor injuries from the accident.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol charged Stokes with kidnapping, reckless driving to the point of endangerment, driving while impaired, fleeing to evade arrest and reckless restraint.
Kosinki told Law&Crime that Stokes is not currently facing charges in Chesapeake. Officials there have not yet had the opportunity to speak with anyone and the investigation is ongoing.
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