The man authorities say was involved in a multi county pursuit including in Montgomery County is facing multiple charges. Among the charges is murder.
The Advocate reported earlier today about a pursuit that began after an alleged stabbing incident in Bourbon County. It ended on Paris Pike, Montgomery County Sheriff David Charles told the Advocate.
A male individual who was stabbed died, Charles said.
Juan Jose Garcia Ponce is booked in the Bourbon County Regional Jail on charges of murder, assault first degree, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief first degree, leaving scene of accident/failure to render aid or assistance, fleeing or evading police first, and two counts of wanton endangerment. He is 20.
The pursuit ensued following the stabbing incident in Bourbon County. The suspect allegedly stole a vehicle, Charles said.
Winchester police were also involved, according to Charles.
Another media outlet said Winchester Police Department officers were attempting to locate the suspect vehicle when it was spotted and an attempted traffic stop turned into a chase.
The pursuit ended when the suspect wrecked about 1 p.m. on Paris Pike in Montgomery County.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist considering the suspect’s status as a “dangerous fleeing felon with a total disregard for people’s lives,” Charles said.
The following is a statement shared on the Winchester PD FB page
At approximately 12:14 PM this afternoon, we were notified that a suspect in a stabbing incident on Stoney Point Road in Bourbon County was believed to be headed towards Winchester on Highway 627 (Paris Road) in a red Jeep Compass. Patrol Officers responded to the area and shortly thereafter located the suspect vehicle inbound passing Rolling Hills Lane (Industrial Park). Patrolman Blake Smithson & Patrolman Blake Gabbard attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and it failed to yield. Due to the serious, violent nature of the offense, I authorized our officers to pursue this vehicle. Our officers gave chase as the vehicle sped through downtown, Westbound on Lexington Avenue, Eastbound on I-64, exited at exit 96 Paris Road, Northbound towards Paris, Eastbound on Spears Mill Road, Northbound on US 460 to North Middletown, North on Levy Road, East on Bunker Hill into Montgomery County and Judy, Southbound on Highway 11 back to US 460 towards Bourbon County. As we pursued this vehicle, we were assisted by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Paris Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Mt. Sterling Police Department. Officers performed a PIT maneuver on the vehicle to end the pursuit near the Montgomery/Bourbon County line on US 460 and successfully took the suspect into custody without further incident. Tonight, Juan Garcia was booked into the Bourbon County Detention Center on a slew of charges including Murder as the victim succumbed to their injuries. This was an excellent collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies to successfully apprehend a violent fleeing felon. I cannot say enough about the professionalism that was shown today by the officers involved and our Communications center staff as this pursuit lasted 42 minutes from start to apprehension. Our thoughts & prayers are with the victim’s family. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
- Travis Thompson, Chief of Police
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