Clayton police: Christmas good deed ends in carjacking, robbery

The woman, a newspaper delivery driver, told police that she encountered a man as she drove her morning route about 6:15 a.m. Thursday in Raleigh. He pleaded for a ride to Clayton, and she said she agreed out of kindness.

Along the way, she became uncomfortable and told the man she would not take him any farther. She told police the man got angry, pulled a knife and threatened her if she did not give him money and continue driving.

Police said the woman eventually stopped her car in Clayton and ran. She called 911, and officers found the suspect driving the car on U.S. Business 70. He refused to stop and led police on a brief chase into Maplewood Cemetery, where officers forced him to stop.

Police said the suspect suddenly began driving toward an officer who was standing outside his patrol car. The officer fired his weapon once but did not hit the vehicle or the suspect.

The suspect then jumped out of the car and ran, but he was quickly captured.

Trent Lesean Creech, 33, of the 2000 block of Southgate Drive in Raleigh, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felonious restraint, fleeing to elude arrest, larceny of a motor vehicle, financial card theft, injury to personal property and assault on a law enforcement officer.

He was held in the Johnston County Detention Center on a $362,500 secured bond.

The officer who fired his weapon is on administrative leave until the investigation is completed, which is standard procedure.