On Saturday, Deputy Jason Cleary with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s Patrol Division was patrolling the Aurora area. At approximately 3:21 a.m., Cleary observed a vehicle traveling on West Road at a high rate of speed. Cleary observed the vehicle’s lights were off as it drove east toward Broome Road. Cleary attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver increased his speed and attempted to elude Cleary, who notified communications and other deputies that he was pursuing the vehicle.

The vehicle turned left onto Broome Road then wrecked in a ditch at the intersection of N.C. Highway 33 and Broome Road. As Cleary arrived at the crash scene, he observed a black man run from the passenger side of the vehicle. Cleary searched the area and located a man hiding in nearby bushes. After being ordered not to move, the man jumped up and ran toward Cleary in an aggressive manner, according to the sheriff’s office. Cleary used his Taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. Cleary then learned the man was the registered owner of the vehicle.

The owner, Charles Allen Midyette, 46, of Middle Street, Aurora, was arrested and charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer. Midyette was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under an $8,000 secured bond.

Anyone with information on the identity of the passenger is asked to call Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at 252-974-6400. Callers do not have to give their names to receive rewards.