A gang of people looted a tobacco store in Clayton early Thursday before leading officers on a high-speed chase across Wake County, where the driver collided with a parked car at a Knightdale apartment complex, according to police.
According to the Clayton Police Department, about 12:45 a.m., an officer observed four persons fleeing the Haven Smoke & Vape shop on U.S. Highway 70. The front door to the shop, which was closed at the time, was shattered.
Police claimed the suspects escaped in a silver 2019 Kia Sorento parked at a neighboring AutoZone, leading Clayton officers into Wake County.
The State Highway Patrol took up the chase, which ended when the stolen SUV collided with a parked car at the Mingo Village apartment complex on Mingo Bluff Boulevard and Hodge Road in Knightdale.
According to authorities, the four leaped out of the SUV and fled. One of the four, a teenager under the age of 18, was detained. Police are looking for the others.
Knightdale police officers remained on the site until 6 a.m., searching through the silver SUV parked at the apartment complex. The SUV was loaded with bags, and tobacco and vape products were strewn across the ground.
Another vehicle at the scene showed apparent damage from the collision.
An investigation is ongoing.
