Man charged in Chatham County hostage situation to appear in court

On Jan. 5 around 4 p.m., deputies with the Chatham County Sheriff's Department responded to a home where a stranger was reportedly attempting to break into a home where a 68-year-old grandmother was keeping her two young grandchildren, ages 7 and 9.

Snowy conditions on that day made it difficult for officials to reach the scene quickly yet safely, and even the suspect crashed his own vehicle in front of the home just prior to the incident.

“It was a life or death situation for the family inside that residence,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “Our priority was getting the victims out of the home to safety.”

Officials said the suspect kicked in the door to the home, located off of Charlie Cooper Road, and forced his way inside where he allegedly armed himself with kitchen knives and began making threats. The grandmother was ordered by the suspect to hang up the phone, and the suspect refused to allow the hostages to leave the home until deputies arrived.

James Harry Hayes II, 40, of Bear Creek, was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, common law robbery, breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods/property, interfering with emergency communication and injury to real property. Deputies worked together to deescalate the situation by talking with Hayes from a distance until he could be lured from the residence. They were able to coax Hayes from the home, take control of his weapons, and bring him into custody without injury to himself or others.

Hayes was transported to a hospital for medical care for a wound sustained during his earlier vehicular accident.

“The fact that the hostages were unharmed and no lives were lost during this confrontation speaks to the training, skill, and courageous calm of our deputies,” said Roberson. “This story could have ended in tragedy, but we are relieved everyone was able to walk away from the situation unharmed."

Hayes will appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Monday.