BEDFORD – A Mitchell man has been charged with multiple felonies following an incident that began on Tunnelton Road and ended with a police pursuit in Orange County in 2024.
Spencer A. Clark, 38, faces charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon, criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, according to court documents filed in Lawrence County.
The charges stem from an incident on January 25, 2024, when Clark allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a knife and forced her to drive while holding the weapon to her side. According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident began when the victim went to help Clark after he ran out of gas near the river on Tunnelton Road.
After discovering his vehicle missing upon their return with gas, Clark allegedly became angry and demanded the victim drive, threatening to “slit her throat” if she stopped. Court documents indicate Clark told the victim to “put her hands on the steering wheel and drive until I say stop” while allegedly threatening to kill them both.
The situation culminated in Orange County when a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The victim reportedly continued driving for approximately three miles under threat before finally stopping. According to police reports, Clark then exited the vehicle, holding a knife to his throat, and challenged officers to shoot him.
Both individuals were initially detained, with Clark being arrested on an existing Lawrence County warrant. A second knife was reportedly discovered inside the vehicle during the investigation.
Clark was transferred from Orange County to Lawrence County Jail on February 1, 2024. During a subsequent police interview, Clark denied threatening the victim with a knife, claiming he had only threatened self-harm.
Spencer told police he was just trying to go to his uncle’s house and had the knife pointed at his throat, threatening to kill himself before requesting legal representation.
Detectives forwarded the information to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Clark’s arrest. He was arrested at 12:30 p.m. on January 3, 2025.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
