ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man accused of leading Weaverville police on a chase last month is now facing additional charges connected to a stolen vehicle and firearm, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives announced Tuesday that Marquis Earl Hurst has been charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Investigators said the vehicle Hurst was driving during a May 24 pursuit had been reported stolen from a residence on Old Pisgah Highway earlier that day.
The chase began when officers with the Weaverville Police Department encountered Hurst near the Walmart at Northridge Commons Parkway in Weaverville. Authorities said the pursuit continued south and ended near the Enmarket gas station on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.
After the vehicle stopped, Hurst fled on foot and has not been located.
“We are thankful for the attentive work of the personnel from the Weaverville Police Department that led to the identification of an offender in this case,” Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office District 2 Capt. Chris Stockton said in a statement. “We encourage anyone that knows the whereabouts of Mr. Hurst to reach out with that information.”
Weaverville Police Chief Somer Oberlin credited the coordinated response among several law enforcement agencies.
“As the situation rapidly evolved, multiple agencies worked together to address the threat, share real-time intelligence, deploy resources effectively, and identify the suspect,” Oberlin said. “This collaboration serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when agencies unite under a common mission.”
Oberlin also thanked the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Asheville Police Department and Woodfin Police Department for their assistance during the incident.
Anyone with information about Hurst’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 828-250-6670.