A Fayetteville man is behind bars after allegedly breaking into a Turkey couple’s home, shooting at them and then leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase that ended in Clinton.

Joshua Emanuel Smith, 25, of Tuckertown Road, Fayetteville, was arrested Friday after being tackled by officers behind First Baptist Church, 900 College St.

According to officials with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, the couple was returning to their home, located in the 1000 block of Bowden Road, for lunch Friday afternoon around 11:40 a.m. allegedly witnessed Smith running from their home, which he reported had just broken into moments earlier.

Smith, officials said, got into a white subcompact passenger vehicle, shot a round at the couple and took off.

As he approached Pine Ridge Road, a deputy intercepted the vehicle and pulled him over, calling for back-up. When the back-up cruiser arrived, Smith floored the accelerator and took off once again, heading toward N.C. Hwy. 403, with deputies in pursuit.

Officers with the Clinton Police Department put out stop sticks near N.C. Hwy. 403 and Pugh Road, but Smith avoided the sticks and continued into the city.

The suspect continued to lead officers down College Street, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle on Graham Street, running up on the sidewalk.

Officers said Smith jumped out of the car and fled on foot. He leapt over a ditch and small creek, running behind First Baptist Church, where he was apprehended by officers.

A gun was recovered from the vehicle after the arrest.

Smith was taken to the Sampson County Detention Center, but charges and bond information was not made available by Saturday afternoon.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.