|
|
| Pair arrested after high speed pursuit |
|
|
2/27/2020
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
Two people were arrested Tuesday night after a high speed pursuit in which the driver allegedly pointed a handgun out the window in the direction of law enforcement during the chase.
The chase reportedly started near Mt. Sterling Elementary School and continued on Interstate 64 before coming to an end near Interstate 64 exit 96 in Winchester.
The incident reportedly began at 8:32 p.m. when Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Lee attempted to stop a vehicle near the school, sheriff’s Lt. Ralph Charles said.
Lee was making the stop because the driver was reportedly going more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit on the Bypass, Charles said.
The driver reportedly failed to stop and made a right onto Old Owingsville Road, where he began to pick up speed until he reached the 113 exit of I-64, Charles said.
Once on I-64 the suspect reportedly reached speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour as he drove westbound, according to Charles.
During the course of the pursuit, the driver was reportedly observed pointing something out the window and one of the two female occupants called 911 to report that the driver had a gun, Charles said.
The suspect also reportedly tried to run two law enforcement vehicles off the road, he said.
Winchester Police set up spike strips to disable the vehicle near the 96 exit, but the suspect reportedly stopped before reaching them, Charles said.
The suspect was apprehended after a brief standoff when he reportedly put down the gun, he said.
Charles said the suspect reportedly had to be forcibly removed from the vehicle when he refused to leave it. The arrest came at 8:50 p.m.
Authorities reportedly seized several grams of suspected methamphetamine from him and the firearm, he said.
The suspected driver and an occupant were both arrested. The second occupant was not charged in connection with the incident because she called 911, Charles said.
Patrick Dwayne Church, 37, of Flemingsburg, was identified as the alleged driver. He is charged with first-degree, second offense possession of methamphetamine, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, trafficking in a controlled substance, second or more offense (heroin), third offense driving on a suspended license, speeding 20 mph over limit, no registration plates and three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer).
A reported occupant, identified as McKenzi Brooke Artrip, 20, of Jeffersonville, was arrested on warrants charging her with theft by unlawful taking, more than $500, but less than $10,000, and third-degree burglary.
Both are lodged in the Montgomery County Regional Jail.
Charles said it was fortunate that traffic was light on the interstate at the time of the pursuit.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office also provided assistance, according to a social media post.
|
|
|
|
|