A man out on bond for two separate police pursuits last summer was arrested again on Monday after he led police on a short pursuit in a stolen vehicle in Hopkinsville.
Christian County Sheriff’s deputies say 26-year-old Earl Cook Jr. took a vehicle without the owner’s consent and was located by law enforcement while the report was being taken. Deputies said he fled before attempting to hide behind the old Family Dollar on East 7th Street.
He reportedly got pinned between a dumpster and a cruiser then tried to run away but was quickly apprehended.
Deputies say Cook had suspected meth, over 100 doses of suspected fentanyl, and an ounce of marijuana as well as a loaded 9mm handgun.
A black bag was reportedly found on the ground, just outside the driver’s door that contained four bottles of suspected liquid steroids and Anadrol.
A passenger in Cook’s vehicle — 33-year-old Hope Austin — was reportedly found to have fentanyl pills melted down on aluminum foil ready to be smoked in her backpack and synthetic drugs in a cup holder. She was also arrested and charged with possession of synthetic drugs and possession of fentanyl.
Cook was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest, first-degree wanton endangerment, receiving stolen property, trafficking steroids, trafficking fentanyl, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, two counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police, and several other charges.
Cook saw his bond lowered in Christian County Circuit Court on January 10 over the objection of Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Leamy. Cook’s attorney informed the court that Cook’s grandmother agreed to put up a property bond to free him. The property, worth $179,000, was enough to cover Cook’s $25,000 cash bond.
