Man steals vehicle, mistakenly leads chase to Kentucky jail entrance, sheriff says
A Tennessee man was arrested Wednesday after he drove a stolen car right up to the Whitley County Detention Center, authorities said.
Scotty Inman, 33, fled authorities in Tennessee and entered Kentucky, at which point he was pursued by Kentucky authorities, according to Whitley County Sheriff Todd Shelley and court records. He drove over spike strips, but continued evading officers, and wound up trying to abandon the car at a jail entrance, Shelley said on Facebook.
After he was detained, officers found marijuana and counterfeit money in the car, according to an arrest citation. Inman’s girlfriend was a passenger in the car, and she had meth and marijuana on her, according to the arrest citation. Inman told authorities his girlfriend was “shooting meth into his veins” while he was driving, according to the arrest citation.
Inman’s girlfriend was also detained, according to the arrest citation, but her name was not disclosed in the report.
Kentucky law enforcement joined the ongoing pursuit when Whitley County dispatch received a report of a stolen vehicle headed towards the Kentucky state line about 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to Shelley.
Kentucky State Police trooper Donnie Jones and Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Estep picked up the pursuit after the vehicle crossed into Kentucky, according to Shelley. Williamsburg police officers Elijah Hunter and Jason Williams also assisted, with one laying down the spike strips the man drove over, Shelley said.
As the tires gave out, the vehicle continued through Williamsburg and “inadvertently chose the roadway” leading to the county jail, Shelley said. It stopped at the jail sally port. The man fled the vehicle and tried to evade officers on foot, but was arrested, according to Shelley and county jail records.
He faces 19 charges, including speeding, evading police, resisting arrest, wanton endangerment, theft of under $10,000, and more, according to Whitley County jail records.
“We continue to support our local agencies when needed and will do so when called upon,” Shelley said.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 7:41 AM.