Murder Suspect Eludes Search by Nash, Franklin Deputies

Police searched through Wednesday night and into Thursday for a Georgia murder suspect who led Nash County authorities on a high-speed chase before abandoning his car and running into woods.

Posted 12:29 a.m. Jan 18, 2007 — Updated 7:07 p.m. Jan 18, 2007

CASTALIA, N.C. — Investigators in Nash and Franklin counties searched through Wednesday night and into Thursday for a Georgia murder suspect who led Nash County authorities on a high-speed chase before abandoning his car and running into woods near the county line.

Deputies had been unable to track down Patrick Lynch by daylight Thursday.

A Nash County Sheriff's Office spokesman said authorities from Georgia had arrived to help as deputies looked for leads that could take them to Lynch.

Nash County Sheriff Dick Jenkins said an officer was following Lynch Wednesday in a stolen vehicle when Lynch pulled over and fled on foot into a wooded area. He was last seen at the intersection of Gardner Road and Rommie Daniel Road near Castalia/Franklin County Road. That is about a mile into Franklin County. (View Map

Lynch is wanted in a fatal stabbing in Dekalb County, Ga. He is also wanted for felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony flight while eluding arrest and driving with a revoked license.

Authorities said Lynch is a black man, stands 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. Investigators said he is considered extremely dangerous.

Thursday morning, Franklin County deputies said they were watching for Lynch during their regular patrols. Nash County officials reported no success in tracking Lynch.

Law-enforcement officers from across the area gathered Wednesday evening at a staging area at Cedar Rock Baptist Church, near the site where Lynch was last seen. Fliers with his picture and physical description were distributed, and authorities planned to give them to residents across the area.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to his arrest.

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