A 17-year-old male juvenile faces a multitude of charges after a high speed chase that took place on Saturday night, February 8. According to Deputy Sheriff T.J. Hestand, the juvenile allegedly stole a 1994 Ford Ranger from the home of Larry Copass on Center Point Road. In the course of the investigation, Hestand notified the Tompkinsville Police Department to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

When the Tompkinsville Police officers received the report that a truck matching the description had been seen in the area of Cloyd Spur Road, they attempted to stop it, and the police car driven by TPD officer Tyler Shaw was struck in the front by the truck as the perpetrator fled the area.

Shaw, Hestand and another police cruiser driven by TPD officer Kerry Denton, followed the truck west on Center Point Road before the driver turned onto Woodhaven Drive and continued on Paige Street. When the subject turned north onto Main Street, the truck slowed enough for Shaw to pass it and get in front in an attempt to slow it down, according to the officers who described the reckless manner in which the juvenile was driving in his attempt to elude the police and endangering the welfare of anyone else on the roadway. The suspect then began to strike the back of the police car until the officers finally got him stopped on top of “Baker Hill” on Main Street.

The officers then attempted to take the juvenile into custody when he began to fight, resisting arrest. After they subdued him and secured him in the police car and other law enforcement arrived, officers Shaw and Kevin Webb (who was a passenger in Shaw’s patrol car) were taken to the Monroe County Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Officer Denton was also seen at the emergency room later that evening for treatment of injuries he received while attempting to arrest the juvenile.

The Court Designated Worker arrived at the Tompkinsville Police station and the suspect was taken to the Adair County Juvenile Detention Center in Columbia.

He faces charges of three counts of assault in the first degree on a police officer, criminal mischief in the first degree, fleeing/evading in the first degree (motor vehicle), three counts of wanton endangerment on a police officer, disorderly conduct in the second degree, resisting arrest, reckless driving, and disregarding a stop sign, according to Tompkinsville Police Chief Brian Coffelt.

Deputy Hestand added that he had filed charges of theft by unlawful taking/disposition (automobile), operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and no operator’s license. Both departments added that more charges are expected to be filed as the incident is still under investigation.

Sheriff Dale “Frog” Ford and TPD Chief Coffelt noted that the cooperation between both departments was the key in apprehending the subject and limiting potential injuries to the public.

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In an effort to protect resident’s property values, the Fountain Run City Commission approved the first reading of a comprehensive nuisance ordinance during their regular meeting on Monday, February 9.

Commissioners, for the past several months, have discussed abandoned properties and those who are not being kept maintained properly.

The new ordinances outline issues such as dangerous trees adjoining a street, accumulation of rubbish, storage of explosives and property grown up with weeds, unsanitary animal enclosures, junk or scrap metal (along with cars in an inoperative condition.)

Those found to be in non-compliance will be given five days notice to remedy the situation and if it is not taken care of, the city will clean up the property and place a lien for expenses, including labor and materials. Anyone found in non-compliance will also be subject to a fine no less than $25 and no more than $250 for each offense.