A Dawson Springs man sought on multiple felony warrants for alleged shooting incidents was arrested following a vehicle pursuit Wednesday afternoon in Hopkins County.
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals have been attempting to locate 39-year-old Joseph Franklin of Dawson Springs in connection with multiple shootings in St. Charles, with police saying Franklin allegedly fired guns into homes and vehicles.
Hopkins County deputies and Madisonville police attempted to stop Franklin’s vehicle on US 41 near Hopkins County Central High School Wednesday afternoon, but he allegedly refused to stop and a pursuit ensued through Earlington and Mortons Gap.
Franklin tossed several items out a window during the 10-mile pursuit and eventually wrecked his truck in the White City Wildlife Management Area and fled on foot through a heavily wooded area.
Detectives conducted a search warrant on the vehicle and say they discovered a bag of suspected methamphetamine and paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking.
Immediately following the completion of a search warrant, Central Dispatch received a report from a citizen stating they had observed Joseph Franklin riding in the back of a truck near KY 2171.
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Madisonville Police Department responded to the area. Multiple officers conducted a high-risk felony stop on the vehicle and Franklin was taken into custody without incident.
He’s charged with several counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, parole violation, trafficking in meth and several other crimes.