‘Scene out of a movie’: Man reunites with dog left inside stolen car that sparked police chase

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A man is grateful to have his dog back after his car was stolen with it inside.

Friday was supposed to be a normal day for Joshua Carter.

“It was 3:50 in the afternoon, there were people outside,” Carter said. “The game plan was to go to the gas station, just to grab an energy drink.”

But his day would change drastically when Carter walked inside the Circle K gas station.

“Grabbed an energy drink, went straight to the self-checkout,” he said. “I was in and out of the store in a minute, maybe less.”

When Carter returned, his car was gone, along with his dog, Leftie, who was inside.

“If someone is willing to steal your car, what are they going to do to my dog? That was my main thought,” he said.

Carter said he immediately called 911 and reported it stolen.

Wilmington police said they spotted the vehicle shortly after.

Police said the suspect took officers on a pursuit that spanned into the neighboring county.

Meanwhile, at the gas station, what Carter called a miracle happened.

“I’m on the phone with my mom, talking to the police officer, and it was like a scene out of a movie,” he said. “I see him coming around the trees.”

About 15 minutes after Carter’s car was stolen, Leftie made his way back to his owner at the gas station.

Carter assumed that the suspect must have tossed his dog out and Leftie made his way back on his own.

“I highly doubt they came to a stop to let him out gingerly,” Carter said.

Carter said it could’ve been much worse had Leftie stayed in the SUV.

The suspect was identified by police as Noah Jackson.

Jackson stood in front of a judge on Monday at the New Hanover County Courthouse. He faces multiple charges including felony larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, larceny of a dog, first-degree kidnapping and flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle.

Carter’s car was totaled following the police chase, leaving him without transportation and with a painful lesson.

“If you’re out and about, don’t leave your car running, don’t leave it unlocked. Please stay diligent and be aware,” Carter said.

But Carter is just grateful to still have Leftie by his side.

“To have him back is a miracle. That’s my Christmas miracle this year,” he said.

Carter recently started his own business as a personal trainer and used his car to get equipment to and from his clients’ homes.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Carter rebuild.