Car Thief Sparks Violent Johnston County Crime Spree, Injures Couple in Chaotic Escape Attempt
CLAYTON, NC – In a wild sequence of events that sounds like a scene from a thriller, 20-year-old Donald Avery Banks of Cary is facing a mountain of charges after a high-speed chase, violent carjacking, and daring escape attempt left authorities scrambling across Johnston County.
It all began in Raleigh, where a woman’s quick errand turned into a nightmare. “I forgot my purse inside, noticed ice on my windshield, started my car, went upstairs, and when I came back, my car was gone,” she recounted. Unbeknownst to her, Banks allegedly seized the moment to steal her SUV and launch into a day of crime.
Banks’s next move was even more shocking. Near Clayton, he reportedly carjacked an older couple, assaulting both victims in the process. The man suffered “severe cuts to his arms and legs,” while the woman was injured after being “dragged by the vehicle,” according to arrest warrants. The couple was rushed to the hospital, their injuries a chilling testament to the chaos.
The brazen carjacking ignited a high-speed pursuit as Johnston County deputies and Clayton Police chased Banks through local streets, weaving through traffic at breakneck speeds. Banks ultimately ditched the stolen vehicle near Pine Hollow Golf Course in Clayton, where officers managed to take him into custody—but the drama didn’t stop there.
Even in handcuffs, Banks wasn’t done. As deputies prepared to transport him, he allegedly opened the door of the patrol car and made a break for it, sprinting away while still cuffed. His escape attempt was short-lived, with officers quickly apprehending him again.
Banks now faces an overwhelming list of charges, including:
For the initial car theft:
- Felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle
- Felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle
- A laundry list of driving violations, including reckless speeding, running red lights, and unsafe passing
For the carjacking:
- Felony larceny of a motor vehicle
- Felony assault causing serious bodily injury
- Felony common law robbery
- Misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and resisting a public officer
The woman’s stolen SUV was recovered from the scene of the carjacking, but the emotional toll of the day’s events will likely linger. Banks is now behind bars at the Johnston County Detention Center, held on a $250,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.
What began as an ordinary evening quickly spiraled into a chaotic chain of violence and mayhem, leaving victims and witnesses shaken and authorities piecing together a day of havoc.