On Tuesday, Russell Springs Police Officer Justice ran a license plate on a Nissan Maxima. The plate did not come back to that vehicle. Officer Justice initiated a traffic stop in the Walgreens parking lot. The vehicle fled. The pursuit lasted several minutes and came to a stop on McClendon Ridge Rd.

The driver, James M. Whittaker, age 27 of Columbia, was taken into custody.

Whittaker was charged with Improper Registration Plate, Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle), Failure to Signal, Disregarding Stop Sign, Driving Too Fast for Traffic Conditions, Driving on Sus or Rev Oper License, Drug Paraphernalia, Poss of Con Sub 1st Deg, 2nd Offense (Methamphetamine), Wanton Endangerment 1st Deg Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving, Traff in Legend Drug, No Insurance, No Registration Plate/Receipt, Prescription Con Sub Not in Proper Container 1st, and Criminal Mischief 1st Deg.

Officer Lucas Justice was assisted on scene by RSPD Officers Hayden Phillips, & SGT Nathan Antle, Kentucky State Trooper Billy Begley, RCSO Deputies: Corey Meyer, Kenny Perkins, Nathan Ginn, and RC Constable Richard Wooldridge.

Whittaker was lodged in the Russell Co. Jail.