Conover Man Gets Prison Time For 2024 Chase That Ended In Alexander County

29-year-old Israel Jonathan Wise of Conover entered a guilty plea to felony flee to elude arrest, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and injury to personal property. The plea was entered during a recent session of Alexander County Superior Court. Wise was sentenced to 15-27 months in prison. Wise was arrested on November 14, 2024 following a two-county vehicle chase.

Wise was taken into custody in Taylorsville following a vehicle chase that began in Catawba County. At approximately 7:30 a.m. on November 14, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office alerted the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol that a white Buick S.U.V. was entering Alexander County on Highway 16. The vehicle had been reported as stolen.

Taylorsville Police deployed stop-sticks near the Alexander County Fairgrounds as Deputies from Catawba and Alexander counties pursued the vehicle. The S.U.V. struck the stop-sticks on the passenger side, but the driver continued north toward Taylorsville until he was stopped by an Alexander County Deputy.

At least two vehicles were struck by the suspect during the chase. No injuries were reported. Wise is being held at the Mountain View Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine, NC.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY