ATV chase ends in arrest

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

A Pine Knot man is in jail after leading officers on a chase Saturday morning on an ATV.
Sheriff randy Waters reports Michael L. Braden, 27, is facing several charges after a pursuit, which began after the Sheriff spotted the subject driving the ATV on Tom Meadows Road around 10:30 a.m. and initiated a traffic stop.

Braden reportedly failed to stop and sped away. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Sergeant Chris King joined the pursuit and followed the suspect to Kilby Lane where he drove on to private property before jumping off the vehicle and running in to a nearby residence.

Braden was apprehended a short time later and was charged with several offenses. According to the citation he had admitted to drinking and had a baggie of marijuana and rolling papers on his possession at the time of arrest.

Sergeant King charged him with operating an ATV on private property without permission, operating an ATV on a public roadway, operating an ATV without headgear criminal mischief, flee/evade police (foot and vehicle), resisting arrest, and criminal trespassing. Sheriff Waters charged Braden with alcohol intoxication in a public place, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and flee/evade police.

Braden was also served with outstanding warrants for failure to appear, burglary and assault.
He was lodged in the Leslie County Detention Center. Sheriff Waters stated as Braden was being booked in to the facility Jailers found a quantity of flakka, a synthetic drug in his possession, and will likely face additional charges in Leslie County.