23-year-old Crhistian Jovani Osorio-Cruz of Newport, N.C. was arrested Monday (March 27) by Iredell County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged in Iredell County with felony counts of flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and assault with a deadly weapon on a government official along with traffic counts including reckless driving to endanger. Osorio-Cruz is also charged in Cartaret County with attempted first-degree murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, and larceny of a motor vehicle.

On Monday, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Officer received information about a person wanted for attempted murder in Carteret County who was traveling towards Iredell County. The suspect, Osorio-Cruz, had allegedly stabbed another individual then stole their vehicle. He reportedly left the scene heading westbound on Interstate 40.

The stolen 2016 GMC Canyon was spotted by Iredell County Deputies as it passed the 154 mile marker. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but Osorio-Cruz reportedly accelerated and refused to stop. Deputies continued pursuing the vehicle and requested assistance from law enforcement officers in Catawba County, who
deployed stop sticks at the 135 mile marker.

The stop sticks struck the left front tire on the suspect’s vehicle. Osorio-Cruz swerved towards the Catawba County Deputies as he passed. The pursuit continued until Osorio-Cruz lost control of the vehicle and came to a stop. He then fled on foot but was quickly taken into custody.

Bond for Osorio-Cruz was set at $250,000 secured on the Iredell County charges and $650,000 secured on the Cartaret County charges. He was jailed in the Iredell County Detention Center under the total bond of $900,000 secured. An Iredell County District Court date is set for April 19.