Sheriff: Attempted murder suspect apprehended after nearly 20-mile pursuit along I-40

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

Special to Iredell Free News

A man wanted for attempted murder in Carteret County was apprehended in Catawba County on Monday following a pursuit by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies along Interstate 40.

Christian Osorio-Cruz

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Christian Jovani Osorio-Cruz, 23, Nine Foot Road, Newport, in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies assigned to the ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit received information Monday that Osorio-Cruz had stabbed an individual, stolen the victim’s 2016 GMC Canyon and was westbound on I-40, Campbell said.

The stolen GMC Canyon was spotted by deputies as it passed the 154 mile marker, according to the news release. Deputy T. Sharpe and Lt. C. Stone attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but Osorio-Cruz accelerated and refused to stop, Campbell said.

Deputies continued pursuing the vehicle and requested assistance from law enforcement officers in Catawba County.

After Catawba County sheriff’s deputies deployed stop sticks at the 135 mile marker, the left front tire on the stolen truck was damaged. Osorio-Cruz swerved towards the Catawba County deputies, and the pursuit continued until Osorio-Cruz lost control of the vehicle and came to a stop, according to the news release. The suspect attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly taken into custody.

Osorio-Cruz was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was taken before Magistrate Thompson and issued a $250,000 secured bond for the charges of felony flee to elude arrest with motor vehicle, felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, misdemeanor fail to stop for siren, misdemeanor driving while license revoked, misdemeanor reckless driving to endanger, misdemeanor speeding, and multiple driving infractions.

Osorio-Cruz received an additional $650,000 secured bond on the charges from Carteret County of attempted first-degree murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, and larceny of a motor vehicle.