High Point man charged in firearms, drugs and road rage crimes, police say

HIGH POINT — Police here say they have arrested a local man on firearms and drugs charges after pursuing him for about a month as a suspect in multiple area crimes, according to a High Point Police Department news release.

The department's Street Crimes Unit on Wednesday arrested Jesse Johnson, 42, a convicted felon, in connection with cases that include one during which a suspect pointed a weapon at an elderly couple during a road rage incident, the release said.

Police arrested Johnson at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Wood Valley Court. The suspect had a concealed firearm at the time of his arrest, the release said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Johnson's apartment and seized an additional firearm, body armor with rifle plates, about 20 grams of an unknown substance, marijuana, and more than $1,900 in cash, according to the release.

Police charged Johnson with carrying a concealed gun, possession with intent to sell and distribute a schedule II controlled substance, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Beyond that, Johnson also faces charges in a Tuesday shooting and a road rage incident in High Point.

At about 4:40 p.m. that day, police responded to a Murphy USA gas station at 2726 N. Main Street, where a witness told officers a man fired one shot in the air and then drove off, the release said. No one was hurt.

Detectives identified the suspect as Johnson and charged him with possession of a firearm by a felon, armed to the terror of the public, and discharging a firearm in city limits, the release said.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story.

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