Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

The Harlan County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Evarts man on Sunday on assault charges.

Rodney Thacker, 21, of Evarts, was arrested on charges of third-degree assault on a police officer, second-degree assault domestic violence, fourth-degree assault with minor injury, resisting arrest, public intoxication, menacing, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Deputy Chris Brewer stated in a press release that he responded to a domestic disturbance complaint along with Evarts Police officer Britt Lipfird. Lipfird arrived first and Thacker allegedly fled on foot prior to Brewer’s arrival. Brewer made contact with the alleged victim Lillian Thacker and determined she had allegedly been sliced two times with a knife.

According to the press release, Lillian Thacker’s boyfriend Keith Wiggins allegedly had a chunk of skin bit off his thumb and several scrapes on his back. Witnesses stated that Rodney Thacker was allegedly chasing Lillian Thacker with a chain saw, was armed with a knife and was out of control. Brewer then requested backup from Sgt. Miron Southerland and a K-9 unit. The K-9 unit picked up Rodney Thacker’s scent and tracked him to an abandoned home on McCoy Street in Evarts. Rodney Thacker allegedly assaulted three deputies when they tried to remove him from a crawl space under the house. Rodney Thacker allegedly remained combative after being placed under arrest.

Brewer is currently investigating the case.

In other police action:

* Christopher Weedman, 24, of Evarts, was arrested on Saturday on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance drug unspecified and third-degree possession of a controlled substance drug unspecified.

* Rachel Brock, 27, of Evarts, was arrested on charges of second-degree assault and theft by unlawful taking on Friday. Brock was arrested by the Kentucky State Police and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center.

* Mark Clark, 47, of Dearborn Heights, Mich., was arrested on Friday by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office on charges of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, engaging in organized crime-criminal syndicate and first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com