By TJ Caudill
The Hazard Herald
HAZARD, Ky. — A Perry County man from the community of Chavies is facing multiple theft charges after Hazard Police say he stole a police cruiser.
According to a release made by Hazard Police Department (HPD), during the evening of Oct. 23, HPD received a report of a shoplifter at the Walmart located on Justice Drive. HPD say upon arrival, HPD Officer Steve Everidge observed a 46-year old male leaving Walmart parking lot. and entered into a vehicle as a passenger.
The suspect was identified as Carlis Hall, 46, of Chaives.
HPD say near the intersection of HWY 80 and Justice Drive, Officer Everidge conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle Hall was in. Hall exited the vehicle and ran on foot as the car slowed down, the release says.
According to the arrest warrant, as Officer Everidge was pursuing Hall on foot, Hall told Officer Everidge that he had a gun and that he was going to kill Officer Everidge. The arrest warrant says Hall placed his hand in his pocket, and acted as if he had a gun. Hall refused to respond to verbal commands made by Officer Everidge, the arrest warrant says.
HPD Officer Jessica Maggard arrived on the scene to assist Officer Everidge, and Hall also threatened to kill Officer Maggard, the arrest warrant says.
Both officers attempted to apprehend Hall, but Hall was able to get away and steal Officer Maggard’s police cruiser, HPD say. According to the arrest warrant, Officer Maggard’s gun was in the stolen cruiser. The arrest warrant says that Hall almost hit Officer Maggard with the stolen cruiser as he was fleeing.
Officers with HPD pursued Hall on HWY 80 and onto Lost Mountain. Hall abandoned the police cruiser and ran into a wooded area, HPD say. Police were able to recover the cruiser, but were unable to locate Hall, HPD said.
The arrest warrant says that HPD, Kentucky State Police (KSP) and Perry County Sheriff’s Department were involved in attempting to locate and stop Hall.
HPD made contact with Hall’s family and made arrangements for Hall to turn himself in, but HPD say Hall failed to do so.
KSP troopers began a surveillance operation, and on Oct. 26, troopers with KSP observed Hall leaving his residence near Wendell Ford Airport; KSP troopers were able to apprehend Hall and transported him to Kentucky River Regional Jail, HPD say.
On Monday, Hall appeared in the Perry County District Court for arraignment. He was appointed a public defender, and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.
Hall is facing charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree fleeing or evading police, menacing, resisting arrest, theft by unlawful taking involving a firearm, theft by unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, shoplifting, third-degree terroristic threatening, and first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer.
Copyright 2015 The Hazard Herald