Man on the run after 2-county chase that ended in southeast Charlotte, deputies say

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested a high school student and are searching for Jonah Robert Payne, of Charlotte, who is a suspect involved in a chase into southeast Charlotte.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, deputies were told about a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at Piedmont High School in Monroe.

The vehicle left and returned to the school, picking up 18-year-old student Jordan Carnes at the rear exit.

Deputies found the car in a church parking lot and tried to talk with Carnes and the driver, who was Payne.

However, Payne drove off at a high rate of speed and hit a deputy’s vehicle.

Payne stopped the car and let Carnes out during the chase. Carnes was arrested and charged with having marijuana.

Deputies pursued the vehicle, which ended around Wyalong Drive near the Harris Teeter in southeast Charlotte. There, Payne stopped the vehicle, got out, and ran from the scene.

There was an extensive search for Payne but deputies came up empty-handed.

Deputies found Payne’s driver’s license inside the car and were able to identify him. There was enough pot, other THC products, magic mushrooms, and prescription-grade cough syrup for authorities to believe he is “a source of a supply/bulk distributor of illegal narcotics in the Charlotte and Union County areas.”

Payne did not enter any of the buildings on the school’s campus during the incident. Local schools were placed under lockdown during the pursuit as a precaution, deputies said.

Additional deputies will be at Piedmont High Friday.

Deputies obtained warrants for the arrest of Payne who has been charged with 18 offenses including but not limited to: felony flee to elude, sell/deliver Schedule I controlled substance, manufacture/sell/deliver/possess a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance.

Carnes remains in custody under a $2,000 secured bond.

“Once again, one of our SROs used their training, experience, and the knowledge of their students to safeguard one of our school campuses,” said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. “These narcotics distributors attempted to introduce illicit, dangerous substances into our schools and were stopped by an attentive deputy who deeply cares for her students. I cannot overstate the importance of having a trained, professional deputy within our schools that is dedicated to the protection of our children, youth, and staff members from dangerous criminals.”

Anyone with information about the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

This is a developing story, check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

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