Police capture parolee in shopping mall parking lot

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force arrested a Cave City man Thursday at Greenwood Mall.

The task force was asked to assist the Glasgow Police Department Street Crime Unit in apprehending the Eric Sturgeon, 40, who was believed to be in the area of the Greenwood Mall, according to a release from the task force.

He was wanted on a parole violation and bench warrant in Barren County.

Sturgeon had been released from custody in Barren County with an ankle monitor which he is accused of removing,  and he has been wanted since Jan. 26.

Detectives initiated surveillance and located him in the mall parking lot.

Detectives asked for assistance from a Kentucky State Police K-9 which alerted to the presence of narcotics in Sturgeon’s car, according to the release.

Following a positive hit from the K-9 a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle. The search revealed a semi-automatic handgun, over six ounces of crystal meth, over three ounces of marijuana, digital scales, multiple baggies, and $685 in cash, according to the release.

Sturgeon was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in marijuana less than eight ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Warren Circuit Court records.

He was lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail. Warren District Judge Sam Potter set his bond at $5,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.