ROCKINGHAM — A man wanted on charges in two coastal counties was arrested Tuesday after allegedly leading Richmond County deputies on a chase that ended in the Palmetto State.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, investigators with the Community Impact Team were patrolling the I-74 on April 1 when they attempted to stop a vehicle for driving 83 mph — above the posted speed limit of 7o mph.
The driver, 69-year-old Paul Henry Yoho, of Hampstead, allegedly was “slow to stop” and after a brief halt, reportedly sped away, leading to a pursuit.
During the chase, Yoho reportedly started throwing out packages of what investigators believed were narcotics.
The pursuit eventually extended into South Carolina, according to the sheriff’s office, where Yoho reportedly crashed the car and fled — but was caught after a short foot chase.
Investigators reportedly seized $11,758 in drugs and cash.
The sheriff’s office has charged Yoho with: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of drug paraphernalia; and resisting a public officer. Yoho is also facing multiple traffic violations.
(NOTE: At the time of this writing, there were no local charges listed on the websites for the jail or court system.)
According to the sheriff’s office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol will also be filing charges related to the crash.
Court records show Yoho has the following pending charges in Onslow County: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; reckless driving to endanger; speeding and other traffic violations; felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court records, Yoho was also wanted for failure to appear in Pender County court on charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as several probation violations.
Yoho is being held in the Richmond County Jail without bond on the local charges and those from Onslow County, as well as a combined $90,000 secured bond for the offenses in Pender County.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Yoho was convicted in Pender County of felony larceny in 2023 and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2024.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
