Published: July 03, 2008 08:42 am      

Man arrested for vandalizing Laurel garage

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A Barbourville man was arrested by members of the London Police Department Sunday morning after he allegedly vandalized the Laurel County Garage.

Officers responded to the scene and found a vehicle had been driven through the front gate of the property. Severe damage had been done to a parked vehicle, the garage building itself, office fixtures, and to a John Deere tractor.

Officers located a Ford station wagon, belonging to John King, and a John Deere tractor outside the fenced area of the garage and over an embankment next to Substation Street. According to a police release, the tractor appeared to have been used to push out the station wagon which had been driven through the front gate.

Later, officers received a complaint from a resident living near the county garage that a man was attempting to kick down the front door. Sgt. Darrell Kilburn was able to locate the man, dressed in wet and soggy clothing, walking on Tobacco Road. The man was identified as John King, owner of the vehicle which had gone over the embankment.

King was arrested and charged with five counts of first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking (farm equipment), menacing, and resisting arrest.

Assisting at the scene were Lt. Stewart Walker, Det. Blaine Inman, Sgt. Matthew Moore, Officers Doug Thomas, Jessie Williams, Randy Medlock and Nick Jones. The incident is still under investigation.