Published: June 23, 2009 01:02 pm      

Man accused of theft, fleeing police runs out of gas

The long arm of the law reached out and grabbed a short-sighted thief when he ran out of gas while trying to flee from police.

In a regional effort by London Police, Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies, Corbin Police, Kentucky State Police, Williamsburg Police and Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies Friday afternoon, Earl Scott Stevens, 35, of Manchester, was arrested following the chase through London, south on U.S. 25 and onto Interstate 75 into Whitley County.

London Police were called to the Tractor Supply Store on KY 192 when a witness reported seeing Stevens take a power lawn trimmer and chain saw that were on display outside the store.

“The witness was from another business in town out on lunch, who knew Stevens from previous thefts,” London Police Lieutenant Stewart Walker said.

London Police Sergeant Kenny Jones initially responded, beginning pursuit of Stevens’ Ford Crown Victoria near the intersection of KY 363 and KY 192. As the pursuit turned south on U.S. 25, Jones lost site of the vehicle in the heavy traffic.

Police spread out on KY 229, U.S. 25 and through Levi Jackson State Park in an attempt to locate Stevens, while Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies and state police in the southern part of the county began working their way north.

Walker said deputies located Stevens near Hunter Hills Elementary School and continued the pursuit over the Cumberland Gap Parkway and south onto I-75.

Walker said Corbin Police, Williamsburg Police and Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted about the pursuit and were ready to assist as the chase moved through Whitley County. However, as Stevens neared the 20 mile marker, he began to slow down and eventually came to a stop and was taken into custody.

“The tow truck driver said it was out of gas,” Walker said of Stevens’ car.

Police recovered the trimmer and chain saw. Walker was still compiling the charges Friday, but said they would include driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, several counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police and receiving stolen property over $500. Stevens was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Staff writer Dean Manning may be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com.