Published: July 02, 2009 09:19 am      

Motorcyclist waives court hearing for chase charges

The McCreary County man who allegedly led authorities on a high-speed motorcycle chase across Madison and Clark counties last week waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court.

Mitchell Glenn Bell is charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing or evading police, reckless driving, speeding more than 26 mph over the limit, not having a motorcycle operator’s license, failure to register the transfer of a motorcycle, failure to maintain insurance, no registration plates and aggravated driving under the influence, first offense.

Senior Judge David Hayse agreed to amend Bell’s bond to $10,000 cash or property. Bell has been lodged in the Madison County Detention Center since Winchester police captured him June 25.

Bell was apprehended after wrecking the motorcycle and fleeing on foot for several blocks, Winchester police said Friday.

The chase began on Interstate 75 when Richmond police received a complaint of a reckless driver on a motorcycle, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman, on Friday.

Officers pursued Bell to Exit 95, where he began speeding down KY 627 toward Clark County, Reardon said. Richmond police abandoned the chase because of traffic and the high rate of speed, but Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officers picked up the pursuit before notifying Clark County authorities.

Stolen beer charges

A man charged with second-degree burglary and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking into an apartment in May with another man to steal six cans of beer had charges against him reduced after claiming ownership of the beer.

James M. Glass had been charged along with Michael Kevin Jones, 19, for allegedly kicking in the door of an apartment in the 300 block of E. Irvine Street around 1:30 a.m. on May 8.

The duo was accused of stealing “six cans of Coors Light beer,” said Richmond police Detective Rodney Richardson at Jones’ hearing in May.

Richardson took the stand Wednesday at Glass’ hearing to testify again, and said Glass had claimed ownership of the beer and admitted being present when the door was kicked in, but denied helping Jones kick the door in.

In light of Glass claiming ownership of the beer, Hayse amended the burglary charge to first-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and set an Aug. 4 court date.

Jones’ charges were sent to a Madison County grand jury following his hearing in May.

Ramming car case

Richmond police officer Jason Spaulding testified that the car Adam W. Morton allegedly rammed repeatedly at a Richmond gas station during an altercation was totaled.

Morton, 34, of Adams Hill Lane, faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident for the June 22 altercation at the Exxon Friendly Mart on Lexington Road.

Spaulding said Morton allegedly rammed another car with his truck four times before fleeing the scene. The accident stemmed from a disagreement between Morton and the driver of the other car regarding the man’s fiancee, who was an ex-girlfriend of Morton’s, Spaulding said.

Morton was charged with wanton endangerment because there was a passenger inside the car when he allegedly rammed it in an attempt to push it off the parking lot.

Hayse found probable cause following Spaulding’s testimony to send the case to a Madison County grand jury. Morton remains lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.