Robbery thwarted by deputies on their way to work

 Timing is everything and Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies say a southern Laurel County duo could not have mistimed breaking to an elderly woman’s home Thursday morning any better for the two deputies that made the arrest.

“The deputies (Capt. Chuck Johnson and Deputy Shawn Boroviak) live in that area and were on their way to work when the call came in,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.

According to Sheriff John Root, 48-year-old Elizabeth McNew of Lily and and 36-year-old Finley Hall of Corbin used a piece of metal pipe to break a window to gain access to the home on Hopkins Cemetery Road off of Ky. 229 about 9 a.m.

The sound of the breaking glass awoke the sleeping woman who reported seeing a male subject, later identified as Hall, standing at the foot of her bed and armed with the pipe.

Hall and McNew reportedly ran out of the front door and attempted to flee the scene in a Suzuki Forenza.

The woman had dialed 911 to report the break-in.

“The officers were able to cut them off as they tried to get out of the driveway,” Acciardo said, adding Hall and McNew appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug at the time.

Hall was charged with first-degree robbery, possession of burglary tools, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs – second offense and first-degree persistent felony offender.

McNew was charged with complicity to commit first-degree robbery and public intoxication – controlled substance.

Hall is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash bond. McNew’s bond is set at $10,000 cash.