A Morganton man faces charges after a motorcyle chase which ended in McDowell County.

Valdese Police on Tuesday reported the theft of a motorcycle. The suspect was spotted on the bike subsequent to the theft, but ran from officers and was not apprehended.

About 5:30pm, a Burke Sheriff's deputy spotted the subject and gave chase on I-40 west where speeds reached 110 mph, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.

The chase led into McDowell County and ended on Burma Road where the man suddenly jumped off the motorcycle and was taken into custody without incident.

30-year-old Kyle Edward Poteat was placed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under a $27,500 secured bond.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and the Highway Patrol.

February unemployment figures were released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton rate was 4.1% with Asheville's rate at 3.7%.

Area county rates include:

Alexander 3.6%

Avery 4.7%

Burke 4.1%

Caldwell 4.4%

Catawba 4%

Lincoln 3.9%

McDowell 4.1

Watauga 4.2%

Buncombe County had the state's lowest unemployment in February at 3.5%, while Hyde County had the highest at 14.9%.

An investigation is continuing by Marion Police in connection with a Breaking, Entering and Larceny that occurred Sunday March 25th at Boondocks Sports and Grill on U.S.221 South in Marion.

According to Marion Police, two unidentified individuals went into the establishment and took an undisclosed amount of cash.

Anyone with information on the identity of these two individuals ia asked to call the Marion Police Department at 652-5205 or McDowell County Crime Stoppers at 65-CRIME.