Wanted Johnson man arrested in Prestonsburg

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PRESTONSBURG — A multi-county and agency pursuit led to the arrest of a wanted Johnson County felon with a firearm on Monday. Robert Thomas Smith of Van Lear is charged with absconding from parole; third-degree assault of a police officer; four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer; DUI, aggravating circumstances; first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle and on foot; speeding 26 miles per hour or greater over the speed limit; reckless driving; first-degree possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; resisting arrest; and failure to wear a seat belt. More charges are pending, according to the release issued by the Prestonsburg Police Department. Prestonsburg 911 Center received multiple 911 calls of a Kentucky State Police trooper in an altercation with a subject on the side of U.S. 23 near Tiger Mart, the release said, and units were dispatched to the location to assist the trooper. While en route, dispatchers received additional calls that the male subject had gotten to a vehicle and fled from the trooper, who had arrested another subject from that vehicle, the release said. One of the 911 callers stayed on the line with Prestonsburg 911 and followed the suspect vehicle, which was reportedly driving recklessly into downtown Prestonsburg, the release said. Captain Ross Shurtleff, Patrolman Brad Caldwell and Patrolman Fred Mynhier located the vehicle at the Kentucky 114 and North Lake Drive intersection, and Shurtleff attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle. Upon attempting a traffic stop on the vehicle, it jumped the raised median at the intersection and began fleeing from officers, the release said, continuing on North Lake Drive at a high rate of speed and nearly striking several vehicles. Given his driving and his assault on a police officer, responding units continued to pursue the individual, the release said. The vehicle continued on Ky. 321 to the Ky. 3 intersection, where it headed south toward U.S. 23, nearly striking oncoming traffic, the release said, and then continued north on U.S. 23 at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour while attempting to strike the officers patrol vehicles. “The vehicle turned back onto Kentucky 1428 at Hager Hill and continued toward West Van Lear. While entering the hairpin curve at West Van Lear, the operator lost control and rolled his vehicle multiple times,” the release said. “Following his crash, he exited the vehicle and fled on foot a short distance before being apprehended by Patrolman Nick Bingham and Sergeant Jon Pack.” The subject, was identified as Smith, was wanted as armed and dangerous by the Kentucky Parole Board as well as pending felony arrest warrants from Martin County. Smith was found to be in possession of a firearm and a quantity of methamphetamine as well, the release said. Smith was transported to Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center for clearance and will be lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center. Prestonsburg police were assisted by the Kentucky State Police and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.