Man with long criminal record arrested for driving recklessly at TJ Maxx parking lot in Rocky Mount

A man with a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1994 was arrested Saturday after Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone spotted him driving recklessly in a TJ Maxx parking lot.

According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, around 8:30 p.m. Stone saw a Toyota Camry nearly hit a pedestrian in the parking lot of the TJ Maxx in Rocky Mount.

The car turned onto U.S. Highway 301 South, and Stone tried to stop the driver.

According to Stone, the driver didn't stop, hitting another car that attempted to merge onto the shoulder after hearing the sirens.

The Camry crossed over the median and became disabled, and the driver ran away foot. Stone was able to capture the driver, identified as Darius High.

High was taken to UNC Nash Hospital and then charged by the North Carolina Highway Patrol for driving while impaired. He was charged by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office with felony fleeing to elude arrest, careless and reckless driving, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

High also had an outstanding warrant from Edgecombe County for larceny of a motor vehicle.

He was being held in the Nash County Detention Center under a $25,000 bond for the Nash County charges and a $10,000 bond for the outstanding warrant in Edgecombe County. A court appearance was scheduled for Monday.

The sheriff's office said High is a "career criminal" with 64 total charges on his record dating back to 1994.

"He has been charged with multiple drug and violent crimes throughout his lifetime," a press release read. "Some of those include first-degree murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and communicating threats."