According to published reports, a Madison County assault led to the search for a suspect in Burke County. That suspect has reportedly been taken into custody.

Authorities reportedly engaged the suspect in a chase, which ended on Williams Road in Morganton. The individual being sought was wanted for felony assault of a mail carrier in Madison County. A media report out of Greenville, South Carolina states that the Mars Hill Police Department was called Tuesday afternoon (September 5) regarding an assault where the victim said their car had also been stolen. The Burke County 911 Facebook page reported shortly before 6 a.m. today (September 6) the suspect was in custody.

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the search, including a Highway Patrol helicopter. Due to expected law enforcement activity in the area, Mull Elementary, Liberty Middle, North Liberty, and Patton High School’s buildings were initially scheduled to be closed but they will now be opened today on a two-hour delay, according to the Burke County Schools.