Madison County, Kentucky - Man Steals Police Car, Wrecked Three Other Police Cars
MADISON COUNTY
Man Swipes Police Car, Sparking A High Speed Chase
A burglary suspect is behind bars, but not before stealing a police cruiser
Saturday and slamming into two other police cars during a high speed chase.
Investigators say Berea Police Officer James Hampton was working the scene of a
burglary at 604 Chestnut Street, when Pactrick Hamner got into his car a drove
off. "It looked like he was just milling around, getting in a friends car and
pulling out." Said one witnesses. But as Hamner began to pull away, Officer
Hampton was dragged for several feet as he held onto the car.
Police took off after the cruiser down I-75, where witness Jeremy Nolan, found
himself right in front of the pursuit. "They almost hit me and I got over and
ended up hitting the guard rail." Nolan's car only suffered a few scrapes, but
he says it was a close call. "It probably was the man who stole the police
unit that ran me off the road. Hope I get covered for it." Said Nolan.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Sergeant Tackett Wilson says the first attempt to
stop the fleeing vehicle only slowed things down a bit. "We deployed out tire
deflation devices at 86 mile marker which was successful to get three of the
subjects tires at the time." Said Wilson. Four miles later, police say Hamner
then hit a state trooper's vehicle and a Madison County deputy's car. He then
attempted to run away on foot but was captured almost immediately.
Neighbors tell LEX-18 News they're familiar with Hamner, and claim he has some
problems. Officer Hampton was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and
released. Hamner was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries, and later
taken to the Madison County Jail where he faces a number of serious charges.