The Associated Press
Morganfield, Ky. - A Henderson County man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly using a stolen car to try to run over a Sturgis police officer, Kentucky State Police said.
Christopher J. Bartlett, 36, was arrested early yesterday morning and charged with two counts of attempted murder, evading police, theft and drunken driving.
Bartlett had been admitted to Methodist Hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered in a “physical altercation,” state police said in a statement. Bartlett took money from another patient’s room and stole a car from the hospital’s parking lot, state police said.
Sturgis Assistant Police Chief John Ricks attempted to stop Bartlett before he could leave with the 1989 Pontiac Firebird.
Bartlett, of Henderson, then “tried to hit the Sturgis officer with the vehicle and nearly hit a member of the Union Ambulance service in the process,” the statement said. The ambulance worker was not identified by state police. Neither was seriously injured.
Bartlett fled but was caught on Ky. 3393 when Ricks, in his cruiser, forced Bartlett from the road. State police said officers had also fired on Bartlett’s vehicle to try to get him to stop.
Bartlett was taken to the Union County Jail.