November 27th, 2007
Theft turns high-speed chase for Ohio man
Spear faces multiple charges in Greenup By CARRIE KIRSCHNER The Independent

RUSSELL - An Ohio man is facing multiple charges in Greenup County stemming from a theft that resulted in a high-speed chase Sunday evening.

According to police, 23-year-old Samuel R. Spear of Patriot was arrested after crashing his car into a tree on U.S. 23 near the Industrial Parkway in Greenup County. The wreck ended a high-speed chase through Greenup County that injured three in a separate wreck and reached speeds in excess of 100 mph.

The chase began shortly after 6 p.m. when the Russell Police Department responded to reports of a theft at the Tractor Supply in the Russell Plaza. A store clerk was able to give dispatchers at Greenup E-911 a vehicle description and registration number for Spear's vehicle. Spear was suspected of stealing a $900 portable welder from the store, police said.

Officers spotted the vehicle almost immediately and attempted to stop it, but Spear fled causing a wreck at the intersection of U.S. 23 southbound at the Plaza entrance.

Police said Spear's struck another vehicle that was sitting in traffic, knocking it into yet another vehicle stopped in traffic and injuring three. No additional information was available about the victims who were transported to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, where they were treated and released.

After fleeing the scene of that accident, police said Spear headed north on U.S. 23 and continued to disregard officers attempts to stop him. The chase, which also involved officers from the Flatwoods, Raceland and Worthington police departments, reached speeds in excess of 100 mph and ended when Spear lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree.

Spear was taken to OLBH, where he was treated and released before being transported to the Greenup County Detention Center. He remains there on a $50,000 cash bond. He was arraigned Monday morning in Greenup Circuit Court.

Spear has been charged with seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, theft by unlawful taking over $300, driving under the influence with aggravated circumstances, leaving the scene of an accident and felony fleeing and evading. The theft charge is also a felony.