Burke County Man Nabbed After Chase

49-year-old Terry Allan Griffin of Griffin Avenue NW in Valdese was arrested Wednesday (June 28) by Morganton Public Safety Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for controlled substance and traffic in methamphetamine. Griffin is also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon along with multiple traffic offenses including fail to heed light or siren.

Shortly after 12 a.m. Wednesday, Morganton Department of Public Safety Officers were conducting a checking station at the intersection of Kirksey Drive and Amherst Road. A black 2004 Jeep Liberty was traveling on Kirksey Drive and was slowing down for the checking station. When the vehicle approached officers the driver increased his speed and turned left onto Amherst Road.

Officers pursued the vehicle and it failed to pull over. During the pursuit the vehicle reportedly crossed into the wrong lane of travel multiple times and reached excessive speeds. The chase was terminated due to losing sight of the vehicle. Officers found the vehicle unoccupied at an address on Old Amherst Road after the pursuit was terminated. The car was left in the middle of the road and was blocking the roadway.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office found a man who was laying in the woods near the unoccupied vehicle. He was identified as Terry Allan Griffin. Public Safety Officers were able to confirm Griffin was the driver of the vehicle. He was placed under arrest and brought to the Burke County Jail.

According to the North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction Offender Public Information website, Griffin has multiple prior convictions dating back to 2008. Most of the cases are from Burke County, with the most recent being in July, 2022. Griffin has been convicted of counts including felony manufacture methamphetamine and felony possession of schedule II controlled substance. He remained in jail as of earlier today (June 29) under $165,500 secured bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled today.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY