Pike County man with active warrant arrested after running from police

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - A search warrant and then an arrest warrant was issued for a 33-year old Donnie McClanahan of Pikeville after he stole $25,450 worth of items from a home after being hired to paint on Feb. 15.

“We knew who did it,” said Pikeville Police Department Public Information Officer Tony Conn. “So we obtained a search warrant, obtained it from the judge, had the judge sign it, and officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.”

After searching McClanahan’s home, police found many of the stolen items. On Feb. 16, Officer Colby Hobson initiated a traffic stop on McClanahan on U.S. 119.

“We initiated the traffic stop, the vehicle, he stopped,” said Officer Conn, “and then he fled the scene. Jumped out the passenger side and left the scene. Fled into the wooded area.”

Many more of the stolen items were found on McClanahan’s person as well as in his car and, after being forcibly removed from the wooded area, McClanahan was taken to the Pike Co. Detention Center where he would pick up new charges after a cavity search.

“So, after they did their search,” said Officer Conn, “they located some narcotics that were being hidden in the suspect’s rectum.”

Officer Conn also said he is glad nobody was hurt because nighttime foot pursuits are a notoriously dangerous position for officers. McClanahan is being charged with theft by unlawful taking, fleeing and evading police, wanton endangerment of a police officer, resisting arrest, as well as several drug-related charges.

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