Templin resident’s pursuit of suspicious truck leads to theft suspect’s arrest

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, 10:55 a.m. – A New Haven man was arrested Friday night following the pursuit of his pickup truck by a Templin Avenue resident who recognized the vehicle as one involved in an earlier theft at his home.

Nelson County Dispatch received a call from the resident at about 8:30 Friday night who reported the pickup truck had pulled into the man’s home on Templin Avenue, only to quickly pull out and speed away when the driver spotted the resident out in the yard.  The truck’s suspicious activity prompted the resident to follow the truck identified as a 2000 Ford pickup truck pulling a utility trailer. When the pickup truck driver realized he was being followed, the driver took a series of evasive actions in an attempt to lose his pursuer.

The vehicles made their way down Templin and turned northbound onto North Third Street where the pickup truck allegedly ran the traffic light at the intersection of North Third and John Rowan Boulevard. At that intersection the truck turned left to head north onto West John Rowan. The truck then turned by Burger King onto Padgett Way and entered the Peebles shopping center parking lot. The truck exited the parking lot onto North Third Street and headed north. The truck traveled as far as the Busy Bee Market where it turned around and headed back toward Bardstown. At the intersection of KY 245, the truck turned right onto West John Rowan.  The truck allegedly ran the traffic light at the intersection of West John Rowan and Templin and continued north before turning onto Stonehouse Road.  The resident remained behind the pickup truck and stayed on the phone with dispatchers during the chase.

Bardstown Police units caught up with the pursuit on Stonehouse Road are were able to stop the driver of the pickup truck. Police determined that the its driver, Russell Dewayne Jeffries, 29, had active arrest warrants for robbery, second-degree; theft by unlawful taking; and assault, fourth-degree. Jeffries  had earlier been identified by police detectives as a suspect in a series of lawnmower and utility trailer thefts. During the  traffic stop, Jeffries attempted to flee Bardstown Police Officerrs Jeremy Cauley and Kyler Wright, requiring the officers to deploy their Tasers.

Jeffries was arrested and the pickup truck and trailer he was operating were impounded. In addition to the outstanding arrest warrants, Jeffries was charged with operating a vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license; fleeing or evading on foot, second-degree; resisting arrest; criminal mischief, third-degree; attempted burglary, third-degree; burglary, third-degree (2 counts); receiving stolen property (2 counts).

Two female passengers traveling with Jeffries were released from the investigation.  Jeffries admitted to two burglaries resulting in four lawn mower thefts from a barn owned by David Hill as well as the theft of a number of utility trailers.

Police have recovered two utility trailers and are working to locate the owners. They also are seeking the location of two of the stolen lawn mowers, and ask anyone with information to contact Bardstown Police. Police warn that if they locate the mowers, charges may be pursued against individuals who have possession of the mowers.

Individuals with information about this incident are asked to contact Bardstown Police, (502) 348-6811 or Nelson County Dispatch, (502) 348-3211.

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