A state and federal fugitive was captured in Central City after several months of investigation by multiple Western Kentucky law enforcement agencies.
The Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Department reports that 35-year old Kenneth Brian Fitzgerald was arrested Tuesday and charged with fleeing and evading police in a vehicle and on foot, leaving the scene of an accident, and wanton endangerment.
Fitzgerald was apprehended after he was seen coming out of a Central City motel that was under surveillance. He then got into a vehicle as police were closing in and fled, ramming a Kentucky State Police police cruiser, and colliding with two parked vehicles at the motel. He then nearly collided with the Lyon County Sheriff and a Federal ATF agent before losing control of the vehicle. Police said Fitzgerald was captured after he ran into a wooded area.
According to law enforcement, suspected meth, marijuana and fentanyl, a loaded firearm, and other items were seized.
An accomplice, 30-year old Lee Adams of Kuttawa, was also located in Central City and arrested on charges of possessing meth and drug paraphernalia.
The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office initiated the investigation.
In July, the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office reported that Fitzgerald escaped during an arrest warrant execution for a probation violation at his residence on Brown Mines Road in southern Crittenden County.
During the incident, authorities said he nearly collided head-on with a federal agent before evading capture.
When a search warrant was executed at his home, the sheriff’s office reported that deputies and agents reportedly discovered 9 mm and .223 caliber ammunition, as well as books on munitions and improvised explosive devices, as well as steel flechette, sharpened metal projectiles often used in bombs, a large marijuana grow consisting of over 70 marijuana plants, a large amount of dried marijuana, heroin, a handgun and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.
The following day, authorities reportedly seized several large pounds of methamphetamine. Police said that within that 48-hour time frame, over $200,000 in drugs and cash were seized that is believed to belong to Fitzgerald.
The sheriff’s department warned the public on its Facebook page that a manhunt was underway For Fitzgerald and he was armed and dangerous.
Both Fitzgerald and Adams were lodged in the Muhlenberg County Detention Center.
