Corbin Police searching for second suspect in vehicle that nearly struck officer
One man is in custody and Corbin Police are searching for a second individual that allegedly fled from the Corbin Kroger when confronted about suspected shoplifting Tuesday morning.
Corbin Police Captain Coy Wilson said officers arrested 39-year-old Brian Phillips of Corbin and are searching for 32-year-old Ricky Lee Blankenship in connection with the incident at the Kroger at Corbin Station.
Wilson said Officer Jeff Hill responded to a complaint that an individual ran from the store following a shoplifting attempt about 10:30 a.m.
“The guy ran out of the store and jumped into the passenger side of a pickup truck as Hill arrived. The driver tried to hit Jeff while trying to get away,” Wilson said.
After fleeing the scene, Wilson said the suspects fled toward the Moore Hill area. The truck was found a short time later after it was abandoned near Hart Cemetery on Hart Hollow Road.
Wilson located and arrested the driver, later identified as Phillips, a short time later on Old Barbourville Hwy. and took him into custody.
“He was just running up the road,” Wilson said.
Phillips faces charges of shoplifting, second-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree wanton endangerment, resisting arrest and giving an officer a false name.
Blankenship remains at large.
Blankenship is described as a white male, 6’, 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos around his neck.
Anyone with information about Blankenship is asked to contact Corbin Police at 528-1122. Callers may remain anonymous.