MAC escapee arrested in Louisville after stealing Ford SUV here
RONNIE RAY STUTES
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, 10 a.m.(Updated Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, 1 a.m.) — An escapee from the Marion Adjustment Center who allegedly stole an SUV during a test drive Monday in Bardstown was captured by police in Louisville after he was allegedly involved in a bank roberry.
Ronnie Ray Stutes, 44, was arrested by police shortly after he allegedly robbed the First Capital Bank branch in Fern Creek. The stolen SUV he was driving was recovered at the scene.
On Monday about 9 a.m., Stutes walked onto 44 Auto Mart, 104 W. John Rowan and asked to test drive a 2004 Ford Escape XLT sport-utility vehicle. The man had no drivers license, so the salesman drove the SUV and the man rode as a passenger. The man told the salesman his daughter worked at Walmart and the vehicle was going to be a gift to her. They to Walmart, and once in the parking lot, Stutes sent the saleman into Walmart to get his daughter. When the salesman returned, the SUV and Stutes were gone. Stutes was last seen driving down US150 toward the Blue Grass Parkway interchange.
The salesman verified that the man who took the SUV was Ronnie Ray Stutes, one of the two men who walked away Friday, Nov. 2, from the Marion Adjustment Center. One of the escapees was captured Saturday; Stutes remains at large.
This 2004 Ford Escape XLT was stolen Monday morning from 44 Auto Mart, 104 W. John Rowan. Click to enlarge.
Officers checked the Blue Grass Parkway in both directions immediately after the vehicle was reported stolen. Police agencies in the region were alerted to watch for the stolen vehicle.
Stutes was serving a 40-year sentence for first-degree wanton endangerment (two counts), second-degree persistent felony offender (two counts), first-degree perjury, first-degree bail jumping in Fayette County, second-degree escape in Bell County, theft by unlawful taking in Boone County, and theft by unlawful taking out of Kenton County. He was scheduled to go before the parole board in July of 2015.
-30-
