North Carolina police officers got unexpected help while searching for a suspect in a reckless driving case, and authorities say a man, later identified as Joshua Minton, 34, fled from Boone County police officers during a traffic stop Tuesday, police said. Boone said in a press release that Minton led police and deputies from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office on a chase in his car, then abandoned his car and “fled into an undeveloped area.”

Cows get involved

Police couldn’t immediately figure out where Minton had run, so they began searching the area, and found a herd of cows. By directing them directly to the place where the suspect was hiding…the cows communicated with the officers as best they could and finally asked the officers to just follow them to the suspect’s location,” according to the website. cbsnews

Once found, Minton was charged with a single count of desertion, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, driving with a canceled license, and disorderly conduct. His next court date is scheduled for June 28 in Watauga County. In the press release, the police department said the charges would not have been fulfilled without him. Useful cows.

“In addition to thanking our officers and deputies for putting themselves in harm’s way, we would of course like to express our gratitude to the cows for their help,” the ministry said.