Bennett

ELKINS — The case against a Randolph County man who allegedly fled in a vehicle from police through several streets in Elkins is headed for the grand jury after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Jacob Michael Bennett, 20, appeared in Randolph County Magistrate Court recently. He is charged with one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a vehicle showing a reckless indifference to safety of others, a felony. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

Before the waiver was accepted by Magistrate Tracy Harper, Bennett’s attorney, Brent Easton, asked the court to consider granting Bennett a bond reduction and modification. Easton argued that Bennett could not afford the $25,000 cash-only bond and, if out on bond, Bennett would stay in the area by residing in Beverly.

Assistant Prosecutor Leckta Poling argued against the request, stating that Bennett was accused of fleeing from officers and therefore was a flight risk. Poling told the court that, if there was to be any reduction, the state would ask that the bond still maintain a cash component.

Harper denied the defense’s motion for a bond reduction and modification.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Patrolman First Class D.T. Sayre with the Elkins City Police, on March 10, Sayre was conducting a routine patrol on 11th Street in Elkins when he observed a vehicle bearing a temporary West Virginia registration.

As Sayre approached the vehicle, he observed that the temporary registration tag appeared to have been drawn over existing numbers, the complaint states. Sayre was then advised by Randolph County E911 that the registration had “no matching records.” He then activated the emergency lights on his patrol vehicle, indicating to the vehicle that it needed to yield.

The vehicle allegedly proceeded to “rapidly accelerate” on 11th Street with speeds reaching in excess of 70 mph in the posted 35 mph zone, the complaint states. Sayre activated his siren to alert the vehicle to pull over; however, the vehicle continued toward Industrial Park Road, where it allegedly failed to yield at the intersection of Industrial Park Road and 11th Street. The vehicle then reportedly traveled off the roadway, turning onto Industrial Park Road toward Wilson Street.

As the vehicle fled, traffic on Industrial Park Road was “light,” but the vehicle Bennett was driving passed another vehicle by traveling on the opposite side of the roadway, the complaint states. The vehicle continued towards Wilson Street, driving in the opposite lane. The vehicle then allegedly failed to stop at the four-way intersection of Wilson Street, Industrial Park Road and Worth Street, and continued on Worth Street towards Harrison Avenue at 50 mph in the posted 25 mph zone.

According to the complaint, the vehicle Bennett was driving allegedly passed yet another vehicle in the opposite lane of travel and failed to stop at the intersection of Reed Street and Harrison Avenue. The vehicle then reportedly struck a stop sign and lost control on Harrison Avenue, veering into the oncoming lane of traffic.

As the vehicle approached the entrance of Davis Medical Center on Harrison Avenue, the vehicle’s doors opened and the two occupants reportedly “proceeded to flee on foot” while the now-driverless vehicle remained in the roadway, still in drive and traveling. Sayre proceeded to pursue the vehicle’s occupants on foot, focussing on the driver as the passenger fled in the opposite direction.

The vehicle’s operator was later allegedly identified as Jacob Bennett, the complaint states. Sayre apprehended Bennett and escorted him to the patrol vehicle. Bennett allegedly advised Sayre that the passenger “was potentially armed.”

Sayre and other officers canvassed the area for the passenger; however, they were “unable to locate” him, the complaint states.