From WRIL -
On March 12th we told you about a pursuit in Harlan County involving three people, but only one being arrested by KSP, 20 year old Abbigal Thomas of Cawood. At the time a KSP Trooper Bunch was injured when after a traffic stop for a stolen vehicle, Thomas accelerated at him striking him and fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed..
Another person has now been taken into custody after a foot chase Tuesday night.
According to citations, Tuesday Night March 27, 2019 Harlan City Police Officer J. Owens saw two people walking on the bypass in Harlan. The man was identified as 44 year old Roy W. Allen of Dayhoit who was said to be in the vehicle Thomas was driving in the assault on Trooper Bunch on March 12th.
Officer Owens states that he circled back around and stopped Allen and asked his name and he replied “Michael Bennett”, and then took a step toward the river bank. Owens states that he opened the door to his cruiser and Allen fled toward the river with the officer giving chase yelling to stop.
Roy Allen was found a short time later by KSP Trooper Brigmon wearing clothing matching the description made by Officer Owens. Trooper Brigmon states in his citation that Allen was found hiding up to his chest in the river with his head and hands tucked into the side of the bank, refusing to comply with the trooper and officers. Allen refused to show his hands until another Trooper arrived on scene to assist in pulling him up onto the bank to be handcuffed.
Officers found two needles Allen tried to dispose of at the point he ran from Officer Owens.
Roy Allen was transported to and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center.
He was charged with the complaint warrant in regard to the March 12th incident for assault 1st degree – police officer, receiving stolen property under $10,000, failure to wear seat belts, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and fleeing or evading police – 1st degree motor vehicle.
Officer Owens charged him with fleeing or evading police – 1st degree – on foot, theft of identity of another without consent, public intoxication – controlled substance excluding alcohol, tampering with physical evidence, wanton endangerment – 2nd degree – police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct – 2nd degree, criminal littering, and criminal mischief – 3rd degree.
Roy Allen has not had bail set as of this story.
As a reminder Abbigal Thomas was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, reckless driving, second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, license to be in possession, third-degree criminal trespassing, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Thomas was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a total of $23,500 full cash bond.