High speed chase with stolen motorcycle

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the October 13th, 2018 arrest of a Joshua Warren Boyle, a 34 year old Orlando Florida man for being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle and for felony eluding.

At about 1 am on the 13th, of October 2018 Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office noticed a motorcycle with two riders at the intersection of 141 and US 74. The motorcycle operator, later identified at Joshua Warren Boyle, set through light changes apparently not able to turn left because the traffic light would not indicate a left turn. When one of the deputies approached in an effort to allow for Boyle to proceed with is turn, Boyle and the passenger sped off at a high rate of speed. The Deputy commenced a chase on US 74. At one point the passenger of the motorcycle was able to get off when the driver slowed to make a u turn. The chase lasted over 40 minutes with Boyle going into opposing lanes on several occasions on both two lane and four lane roads as well as exceeding over 115 mph. The chase ended when Boyle turned down a dead end road and lost control and hit a tree. There was minor damage to the motorcycle which later was discovered to be stolen out of Florida. Boyle, who fled a short distance on foot, was not injured. 

Joshua Warren Boyle was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was incarcerated for POSSESS STOLEN AUTOMOBILE, FLEE/ELUDE ARREST WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE, RECKLESS DRIVING - WANTON DISREGARD, FICT/ALT TITLE/REG CARD/TAG, INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY, DRIVE LEFT OF CENTER, RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER, NO OPERATERS LICENSE, FAIL YLD STOP SIGN. Boyle is currently under a $30,000.00 secure bond and has a October 25th, 2018 District Court date.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This started out as a good Samaritan act by the Deputy and ended in the recovery of a stolen vehicle and several traffic charges. Good work by the deputies and we appreciate the assistance from Murphy Police Department as well. It is fortunate this took place when the traffic was nonexistent at the time which allowed the officers to bring this to a good conclusion.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov. ​