Police say a Hopkinsville man was charged with assaulting an officer after a traffic stop in Madisonville Wednesday afternoon.
According to Madisonville police, shortly before 3:00 p.m. detectives with the Hopkins County Vice/Narcotics Unit saw a van occupied by three subjects traveling south on Interstate 69 approaching exit 111 and crossing the white fog line multiple times, and then entering back into its lane of travel. After detectives activated their emergency equipment, police say the van failed to stop and continued through the intersection traveling east on White City Road.
Police say the driver, later identified as 38-year old Kenneth Randolph, of Hopkinsville, was observed jumping in the rear of the van while it was still in motion, and a passenger took control of the vehicle.
After officers made contact with the occupants of the van, police say Randolph was found lying on the floor trying to hide. Officers commanded Randolph to place his hands where they could be seen multiple times for but police say he became violent and started hitting detectives. Randolph was removed from the van and restrained.
While speaking with the other occupants in the vehicle, police say a pipe was observed in plain view where Randolph was hiding. During a search of the van, police reportedly seized the pipe which contained suspected synthetic drugs.
Randolph was lodged in the Hopkins County Jail on an active arrest warrant as well as driving on a DUI suspended license, third-degree assault of a police officer, his second or subsequent offense of possession of synthetic drugs, resisting arrest, and other offenses.
