January 12, 2018
UPDATED 7:00 PM FRIDAY
LOUISA MAN ARRESTED IN HUGE PURSUIT CHASE AFTER ROBBING COMMUNITY TRUST BANK IN FORT GAY AT GUNPOINT; DISCOVERED BY LAWRENCE COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS PREPARING TO ROB INEZ DEPOSIT BANK IN LOUISA
SUSPECT WAS APPARENTLY DRUNK, DRINKING ALCOHOL TO GET THE COURAGE TO COMMIT THE DOUBLE ROBBERIES
JANUARY 12, 2017 – written by WADE QUEEN
More information has been released about an armed bank robbery Friday in Fort Gay, West Virginia, including information that the suspect was attempting to rob another bank, according to the Louisa Kentucky Police Department.
Steve Ray Meeks, 61, of Louisa, is charged with first-degree attempted robbery of the Inez Deposit Bank, first-degree fleeing or evading police, first-degree wanton endangerment, reckless driving, second-offense DUI and having illegal registration plates.
Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies in West Virginia stated Meeks also will be charged in the robbery of Community Trust Bank on Friday in Fort Gay.
Officers in Louisa received information about the Fort Gay robbery after being notified earlier that a man was acting suspicious around the Inez Deposit Bank.
A pursuit of the suspect’s truck included Wayne Sheriff’s deputies, the Louisa Police Department, the Lawrence County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police. That pursuit ended on state Route 1690 just before Nats Creek
Police say during the pursuit, the suspect started throwing money from the truck onto state Route 1690.
“I would like to thank all the citizens in that area that had collected money they found and turned it over to myself, Trooper Murriell or Sergeant Wilburn,” said Louisa Police Chief Greg Fugitt in a news release.
All of the recovered money was handed over to investigators in West Virginia.
Here’s how Chief Greg Fugitt described the arrest:
LPD press release
“…On January 12, 2018 the Louisa Police Department responded to a call made by Inez Deposit Bank on Commerce Drive that a male subject was acting suspicious but had fled the area.
While Sgt. Steven Wilburn of LPD was attempting to locate the vehicle, officers received a second call that the Community Trust Bank in Fort Gay, WV had just been robbed by a suspect matching that description and that Wayne County Sheriff’s Department was in pursuit of the suspect.
Officers from Kentucky State Police, Louisa Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and Wayne County Sheriff’s Department joined the pursuit that ended on KY 1690 just before Nats Creek.
During the pursuit the subject began throwing money from the vehicle along HWY 1690.
“I would like to thank all the citizens in that area that had collected money they found and turned it over to myself, Trp. Murriell or Sgt. Wilburn,” stated LPD Chief Greg Fugitt. All money located was returned to the bank and the West Virginia authorities.
A suspect, 61 year old Steve Meeks of Louisa, was arrested by Sgt. Wilburn and charged with Attempted Robbery 1st (Inez Bank), Fleeing or Evading Police 1st, Wanton Endangerment 1st, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, DUI 2nd, Illegal Registration Plates.
Suspect was lodged in Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and also faces charges in West Virginia.
Wayne Co. Sheriff Rick Thompson had not released charges his office will bring against Meeks or when he will be extradicted to W.Va.
