High-Speed Chase in North Charleston Ends with Arrest of Suspect

High-Speed Chase in North Charleston Ends with Arrest

Late Tuesday night in North Charleston, the streets were alive with the sounds of sirens as police chased down a suspect who decided to take his chances on the run. The suspect, 24-year-old Earl Poinsette, found himself in a heap of trouble after the North Charleston Police Department attempted to pull him over, leading to an adrenaline-filled chase.

Why Did They Chase Him?

It all started when officers were out on patrol in the area of Allwood Drive and Forest Hill. They noticed a dark Mazda not using its turn signal while trying to enter a driveway. Seems like a simple traffic violation, right? But when police attempted to perform a traffic stop, Poinsette stopped his car — right in the middle of the roadway! Officers suspected something was off, especially as Poinsette left his car in park with his foot on the brake. It was a classic move before a chase.

Before the officers could say “boo,” little Earl took off, zooming away from the scene as if he was in a high-stakes action movie. The pursuit quickly turned intense as police chased him onto Foxwood Drive and then onto Dorchester Road, traveling at breakneck speeds.

The Chase Heats Up

Poinsette wasn’t just speeding — he took a sharp right onto Patriot Lincoln Boulevard, and if that wasn’t enough drama, officers noticed he was losing air from his back right tire! Talk about a high-speed adventure under pressure! Despite the tire trouble, he crossed over key intersections, ignoring traffic signals like a man on a mission.

At this point, the drama was palpable. Police followed him into the Saddlebrook Community, where he evaded capture momentarily. But the chase did not last long — about 17 minutes in total — before he made a risky move. He jumped out of the car on Fayetteville Road, leaving it to roll into a mailbox. It seemed like he’d finally met his match, but Earl wasn’t done just yet. He took off running through backyards, aiming for Buck Pond Road.

A Shocking Discovery

While officers were organizing a perimeter to catch the fleeing suspect, they got a helpful tip from a concerned citizen who had seen Poinsette sneaking into a home. Police rushed to the address provided and spoke with the homeowner, who—get this—turned out to be none other than Poinsette’s grandmother!

Imagine the surprise! The grandmother later recounted how she was asleep when police knocked on her door, stating that only her grandchildren were inside. Upon her permission, an officer accompanied her in a search around the residence. And lo and behold, they found Earl lying in bed as if he hadn’t just been in an action-packed chase! Grandma understandably reacted with a shocked, “Oh there he is!”

What Did They Find?

After bringing the chase to a close with Poinsette’s arrest, police conducted an inspection of his abandoned vehicle and discovered something startling. Inside the Mazda, they found 14 individually wrapped packets of marijuana, each weighing around 3.5 grams. Talk about adding fuel to the fire of charges against him!

What’s Next?

Earl Poinsette now faces serious charges including failure to stop for blue lights and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. It’s safe to say that this little joyride will leave a lasting impression on him as he navigates the legal consequences ahead. Meanwhile, North Charleston officers surely breathed a sigh of relief at the successful conclusion to what turned out to be an eventful night.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. After all, who knows what else might unfold in the thrilling world of policing in North Charleston?