Authorities said Ronald Lee Sanders, of Garner, stole a Buick Rendezvous from Al Smith Buick on Wake Forest Road Monday.
The SUV is Herman Bullock's company vehicle.
"I jumped out the truck to help the customer and when I turned around and looked, my vehicle was turning the corner," he said.
Bullock helped authorities pick up the trail of the stolen SUV by activating its OnStar navigation system, tracking it by satellite.
"We were able to get a helicopter in the air within 10 minutes," said Sgt. Wade Bullock of the state Highway Patrol.
Officials said the chase started after they located the vehicle on Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh. The chase then continued west on Interstate 40 before coming to a stop at Miami Boulevard in Durham County.
The state Highway Patrol said the chase reached 100 mph. Troopers blocked off exits along I-40 and put out stop sticks. They said the construction zone helped, too.
"That was actually advantageous for us. We were able to get stop sticks on both sides. Our troopers deployed them wonderfully, actually crisscrossing his path. That's why we were able to take out three of the tires," Sgt. Bullock said.
Authorities said the chase ended about 30 minutes after it began.
Sanders' charges include careless and reckless driving and possession of a stolen vehicle. He is being held in the Wake County Jail on $41,000 bond.
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