From WRIL - The Big One -
The victim tells WRIL that he had just been in his own driveway when he went into his home for a few minutes. That's when a neighbor observed a man, later identified as 41-year-old Joshua Cook of Lily, Ky., getting into the Lincoln MKS and leaving the driveway. The neighbor told the victim and he then contacted Middlesboro Police.
Responding to take the report was Detective/Sgt. Ryan Collins and Officer Cody Marcum who issued a be-on-the-lookout for the vehicle. A short time later as officers began looking for the stolen vehicle, Bell County Deputy Samson Churchwell spotted the car on Highway 25E and made a traffic stop. Upon contact with Cook, the vehicle was verified as stolen and he was taken into custody.
Joshua Cook was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged by Officer Marcum with theft by unlawful taking auto under $10,000. Detective Collins then assisted the victim in retrieving his vehicle.
This is the second time Middlesboro Police charged Cook with stealing a vehicle in city limits. The first was in September of 2022 when he was also charged with robbery - 1st degree and possession of a controlled substance - 3rd degree. He is scheduled for a jury trial on those charges, along with a separate assault charge, in April of this year.
No bond is set as of this story.