Vehicle Pursuit Leads to Arrest of Wanted Fugitive

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

Cherokee County, NC — On Saturday, April 11, 2026, a Narcotics Agent initiated a vehicle pursuit on Johnsonville Road. The vehicle was operated by Patrick James Sizemore, with Colby Brett Phillips as a passenger.

Phillips had been wanted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for approximately one month, with multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. During that time, he is believed to have been hiding in Georgia.

Following the pursuit, Narcotics Agents successfully took both Phillips and Sizemore into custody. At the time of his arrest, Phillips was found in possession of $10,000 in cash, which was seized.

Colby Brett Phillips is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center and faces the following charges:

• Felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a Deadly Weapon

• Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine

• Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine

• Three Counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine

• Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle

• Additional misdemeanor charges

• Failure to Appear (Clay County)

Patrick James Sizemore is charged with:

• Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle

• Reckless Driving to Endanger

• Driving While License Revoked

Sheriff Chris Wood stated: “Mr. Phillips had outstanding warrants for approximately one month. During that time, he was not in Cherokee County, but today he returned. Thanks to the work of my outstanding staff, Mr. Phillips was in Cherokee County for about 30 seconds before we apprehended him. I am extremely proud of the work of this office.”

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.