Shortly after 4 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, McCaysville police Officer Pete Kusek was called to the parking lot of the Copper Pantry where a man was parked between the gas pumps and Subway slumped over the steering wheel.
Within a matter of minutes, the scene turned into a fight with officers, a foot chase, and the suspect being caught by concerned citizen, Darian Self.
Nevin Noah Head, 27, of 231 Mountain Road, Morganton, is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, one misdemeanor count of obstruction of an officer, and two felony counts of obstruction of an officer, according to McCaysville Police Detective Lieutenant Cory Collogan.
Body cam video shows Kusek approaching Head’s Chevrolet S10 pickup where the suspect is apparently asleep. Head refuses to comply with instructions to get out of the vehicle, so Kusek moves his patrol vehicle in front of Head’s pickup.
Due to Head’s refusal to obey instructions, Kusek calls for backup, and Collogan soon arrives.
By this time, Head has exited his vehicle and is talking with Kusek. Collogan confirmed the suspect appeared disoriented and his speech was slurred.
Collogan takes Head’s drivers license and returns to his vehicle.
Head begins refusing Kusek’s further commands to step up onto the concrete part of the parking lot and attempts to get back into his pickup and leave.
A scuffle begins, and Head is able to break free from Kusek. Collogan begins chasing Head.
A clerk inside the Copper Pantry and Self hold the doors so Head cannot enter the store.
As Head and Collogan run past, Self comes out of the store and joins the chase. As Collogan briefly loses his footing, Self runs past assuring Collogan, “I got this.” Self catches Head in front of KATZ Restaurant and detains him until Collogan arrives.
Head was arrested and taken to the Fannin County Adult Detention Center.
Head was released Wednesday, February 16, under a $3,000 bond, according to jail records.
At the time of his arrest, Collogan said Head was out on bond for a Fannin County warrant for aggravated stalking.