RAYWICK, Ky. — After an hours-long manhunt in Marion County, Kentucky State Police (KSP) have arrested a suspect accused of assaulting and disarming a state trooper.
Authorities said a trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Clarkstown Road in Nelson County for a traffic violation just after midnight Friday morning.
The driver, 31-year-old Dustin Thompson, refused to stop and a police chase began. KSP said the pursuit continued onto to Sulphur Lick Road in Marion County, where it eventually came to an end after the road turned into a dead end.
KSP said Thompson got out of the vehicle and fled into a wooded area. The trooper was able to catch up to him after a short foot pursuit, but Thompson assaulted and disarmed the officer before fleeing the area.
State troopers and other law enforcement agencies searched the area for several hours until he was eventually found.
Thompson has been charged with first-degree strangulation, first-degree assault of a police officer, disarming a peace officer, and theft by unlawful taking of a firearm.
KSP said the officer was flown to University of Louisville for his injuries and has since been treated and released.
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