North Charleston Police Apprehend Man Involved in 2022 High-Speed Chase
In a recent development, North Charleston Police Department have made an arrest in a case that dates back to over a year ago. The arrestee, Derrick Neal, 36, is being held accountable for a high-speed car chase that had transpired nearly a year-and-a-half prior.
Suspect Derrick Neal Arrested
The North Charleston Police apprehended Derrick Neal this Thursday. He was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and failure to stop for blue lights, as per jail records. Currently, Neal is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center with a bond set at a cumulative of $35,000 for the two charges. If the bond is not met, Neal is to remain at the detention center until his trial date.
Incident Overview
The incident report chronicles the apparent sequence of events that took place on November 11, 2022. The police attempted to intercept a brown 2013 Nissan Altima that had been flagged as stolen from Berkeley County. However, the driver maneuvered away and initiated a rapid car chase, reportedly reaching startling speeds of 107 mph. The individual, who was later definitively identified as Derrick Neal, was recorded to have been weaving between the lanes on Dorchester Road, blatantly utilizing the center median line to outpace other vehicles.
The police called off the chase as they lost sight of the vehicle on the Interstate 526. The car, however, was eventually located and found to have been abandoned behind a U-Haul establishment on Oscar Johnson Drive.
Identification and Arrest
Inside the deserted vehicle, the police uncovered a driver’s license, which led them to the primary suspect, Neal. Thanks to the surveillance footage, they could confirm Neal was the perpetrator who navigated the vehicle during the chase. Police took their time to build a comprehensive case against Neal, culminating with his arrest this Thursday, over a year after the original event.
Indictment
Following his arrest, Neal was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle – the brown 2013 Nissan Altima, and failure to stop for blue lights – evading police interception and initiating the high-speed chase. The indictment against him included these two charges referencing South Carolina state laws. The full extent of Neal’s sentencing will be determined at his trial, the date for which has not yet been set.
This recent arrest is yet another example of diligent police work, demonstrating that ongoing investigations can still lead to arrests beyond a year after the crime took place. Through a combination of in-the-moment decisions and relentless pursuit, the North Charleston Police Department remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring the safety of its local community.
