LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — A Christmas Eve robbery at the Main Street Speedway  led to an early morning high-speed chase for London police officers.

Johnny Perkins, 33, of 538 Moriah Church Road was arrested and charged with operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license; receiving stolen property under $10,000; first-degree fleeing or evading police; first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer; second-degree robbery; operating a motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, first offense;  resisting arrest; reckless driving; and flagrant non-support.

Officers responded to the attempted robbery at Speedway around 2:03 a.m.  Through investigation, they discovered the robber was wearing a black jacket and a dark blue toboggan.  The store clerk told police a white male entered and stated he was robbing the store.  

Perkins dashed out of the store when the clerk informed him that she was calling the police. He then headed north on Main Street without any money or merchandise.  

Within minutes, Officer William Goins and Officer Travis Couch located a light blue Chevrolet Cavalier with a white male wearing a toboggan matching the robber’s description in the parking lot of west Ky. 80 Shell.  Seeing police, Perkins left the parking lot, made a U-turn and began traveling eastbound on Ky. 80.

Officer Goins stopped Perkins at the I-75 overpass bridge. London-Laurel County Dispatch informed Goins the vehicle was reported stolen.  Before Officer Goins could approach the vehicle, Perkins accelerated and fled.  Officer Goins and Couch then initiated a pursuit.

Sgt. Jessie Williams intercepted the pursuit at the intersection of Ky. 80 and north U.S. 25 while officers continued.  Police created a “high-speed box in” which brought Perkins to a stop beside the eastbound guardrail east of Ky. 472.

Perkins was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center following his arrest.

Officer William Goins is continuing the investigation.



mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com