'Armed and dangerous' man on loose after chase involving Johnston deputy

Authorities said the owner of the pickup truck, which had been reported stolen about a week ago in Wake County, spotted the vehicle at a Speedway gas station near U.S. Highway 42 and Interstate 40 in Johnston County on Tuesday night.

The owner of the truck called authorities after he saw 40-year-old Jody Spurling, of Alabama, leave his truck and enter the convenience store. A deputy arrived at the scene before Spurling exited the store.

Authorities said Spurling got back into the stolen pickup truck and rammed the deputy’s car and a Toyota several times each before fleeing through the parking lot and knocking down several trees.

He then struck a car in the parking lot of a nearby pizzeria before jumping out of the vehicle and running.

"We had K-9 units respond, but we were unable to locate him," Chief Deputy Bengie Gaddis said.

Johnson County authorities said Spurling is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle.

In Wake County, he is also charged with six counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of felony larceny, two counts of financial card theft, two counts of financial card fraud and one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

Authorities believe he’s armed and dangerous based on conversations with Alabama authorities. Spurling is wanted in Alabama on a felony probation violation.

"Anytime you have an individual as this suspect was lat night, he had no care if anyone was hurt last night in his escape," Gaddis said.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol are all assisting in the search for Spurling.