Smoke shop theft in Clayton leads to high-speed chase, crash at Knightdale apartment

A group of people robbed a smoke shop in Clayton early Thursday before leading officers on a high-speed chase into Wake County, where the driver hit a parked car at a Knightdale apartment complex, police say.

According to the Clayton Police Department, around 12:45 a.m., an officer saw four people running from the Haven Smoke & Vape shop along U.S. Highway 70. The front door of the business, which was closed at the time, was shattered.

Police said the suspects got into a silver 2019 Kia Sorento parked at a nearby AutoZone and fled, leading Clayton officers on a chase into Wake County.

The State Highway Patrol took over the chase, which ended when the stolen SUV hit a parked car at the Mingo Village apartment complex at Mingo Bluff Boulevard and Hodge Road in Knightdale.

According to police, the four jumped out of the SUV and ran away. One of the four, a juvenile under the age of 18, was taken into custody. Police are searching for the others.

Knightdale police officers remained at the scene until 6 a.m. and were digging through the silver SUV parked at the apartment complex. The SUV was packed with bags, and tobacco and vape products were scattered on the ground.

Another vehicle at the scene had visible damage from the crash.

An investigation is ongoing.