LONDON, KY – Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Sgt. Brett Reeves along with Deputy Robert Reed arrested two individuals on Thursday afternoon January 30, 2020 at approximately 2:11 PM.
The arrests occurred off West Cumberland Gap Pkwy. approximately 10 miles South of London after deputies were dispatched to a theft complaint at Walmart.
Deputies were told that 2 male subjects had taken items without paying for them and fled out the front door and had left Walmart parking lot in a yellow colored Mustang traveling onto West Cumberland Pkwy.
Sergeant Reeves and Deputy Reed were already on West Cumberland Gap Pkwy. finishing a previous call and immediately noticed the yellow Mustang fleeing Walmart parking lot.
When the yellow Mustang met deputies on West Cumberland Gap Pkwy. the mustang made a sharp U-turn attempting to elude deputies. Deputies activated their emergency equipment attempting to get the Mustang to stop however it traveled down the shoulder passing vehicles at a high rate of speed running a red light and traveling onto North Stewart Rd. behind a business.
Deputies were able to box the vehicle in forcing the vehicle to safely come to a stop. Deputies determined the driver was under the influence on a third offense DUI and was also a felon in possession of a handgun that deputies found in the vehicle.
In addition, deputies found the two suspects in possession of suspected Methamphetamine and Meth pipes. One suspect had an outstanding warrant.
The two arrested individuals were identified as:
The driver, James Ray Jent age 42 of Little County Rd., East Bernstadt charged with:
- Theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting under $500
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – motor vehicle
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence – third offense
- Driving on DUI suspended license – second offense
- Failure to wear seatbelts
- Improper passing
- Improper turning
- Reckless driving
- Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
The passenger, Justin C. Jent age 19 of Little County Rd., East Bernstadt charged with:
- Theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting under $500
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree
- Public intoxication – controlled substances
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- A Laurel County warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of accused attached are courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
