TUNNELTON – On February 6th, at approximately 4:53 a.m., the Lawerence County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a burglary in the 7000 block of River Road.
The homeowner, who was not at the residence, was notified of activity by his camera surveillance system. The owner reported there appeared to be a gray Chevrolet HHR in his driveway, and there were three individuals inside the residence.
Deputy Clifford Pruett, Deputy Bailey Duprey, and Capt. Harrison Fleetwood responded to the scene. Officers were also aware there had been other reported burglaries and thefts in that general area of the county over the past few weeks. As officers traveled to the residence, the homeowner notified them the HHR had left. A short time later, the HHR met Capt. Fleetwood and the driver completed a U-turn after momentarily stopping and refusing commands to exit the vehicle.
The driver of the HHR fled east on River Road, almost striking an oncoming police car. A vehicle pursuit ensued, ending shortly on River Road after the HHR crashed.
One police car was damaged in the pursuit.
The three occupants of the HHR attempted to flee, but Officer Pruett apprehended one male, later identified as 39-year-old Richard Pemberton of Mitchell, and one female, Alyssa Smith, 23, of Campbellsburg. The male driver was able to elude capture.
Officers discovered the HHR had previously been reported as stolen out of Orange County. They also located methamphetamine, marijuana, legend drugs, hypodermic syringes, and a loaded firearm. Both Pemberton and Smith were arrested for burglary as well as multiple drug offenses.
Other arrests and charges are expected in this investigation.
