2 arrested in Hopkinsville after alleged carjacking attempt with children in vehicle
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Two men are behind bars after authorities say a stolen vehicle was located in Hopkinsville.
According to a uniform citation, the Hopkinsville Police Department was dispatched Thursday regarding a stolen vehicle located in the area.
Police say they responded and found the vehicle in the parking lot of a Circle K off of Lafayette Road.
Authorities say an officer attempted to block the vehicle, however, the vehicle’s driver went around the cruiser and fled the scene.
Police say the officer pursued the vehicle, which they say entered the opposite lane multiple times at around 70 to 80 miles per hour. This almost caused multiple collisions, according to authorities.
Authorities say the vehicle entered a parking lot, where the officer attempted a maneuver to stop the vehicle. However, police say the vehicle reentered the road, reaching 100 mph.
Police say the vehicle stopped when it hit the rear axle of a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Eagle Way and Fort Campbell Boulevard. According to the citation, the officer was “not able to stop” his vehicle and struck the the vehicle’s passenger side.
The driver and the passenger then exited the vehicle and ran from the scene, according to police.
Police say during a foot pursuit, the passenger, later identified as 19-year-old Quintin Benson of Triangle, Virginia, threw a loaded gun onto the ground and continued running.
The driver was later identified as 20-year-old Donald Brown of Clarksville, Tennessee.
Police say Brown then attempted to enter a vehicle parked in a parking lot, but the doors were locked. Authorities say the vehicle contained a driver and children during this time, and Brown was later found to possess a gun.
Authorities say they later confirmed the gun was stolen.
Both Brown and Benson were detained.
Police say an officer sustained an injury to his knee while trying to detain Benson.
Authorities say Brown was resisting arrest until a Hopkinsville police K-9 jumped onto his back, leading him to surrender.
Both individuals were arrested and transported to the Christian County Jail.
Benson is charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), tampering with physical evidence, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer and receiving stolen property between $1,000 and $10,000.
Brown is charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, receiving stolen property between $1,000 and $10,000, attempted carjacking, first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree wanton endangerment, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest and first-degree criminal mischief.
