Roby Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Related To High Speed Chase
Photo: Daarik Gray
Patrick Kyle Roby, 35, of Mammoth Cave, led police on a high-speed chase through downtown Harrodsburg last week before losing control of his car and crashing into the Diamond Point Welcome Center on Price Avenue.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com
A man from Edmunson County has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the high speed pursuit through downtown Harrodsburg that happened last week. Patrick Kyle Roby, 35, of Mammoth Cave, was arraigned on Monday, May 1, in Mercer District Court. Roby is being charged with speeding 26 MPH over the posted speed limit, 1st degree robbery, kidnapping an adult, 1st degree fleeing/evading police in a motor vehicle, 1st degree fleeing/evading police on foot, theft by unlawful taking of an auto, 1st degree wanton endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Patrick Roby. Image: Boyle County Detention Center.
The charges date back to Tuesday, April 25. At 4:59 p.m., the Harrodsburg Police Department were notified the Kentucky State Police was pursuing a black 2014 Chrysler 300 coming into Harrodsburg from Danville.
Roby was seen traveling north on Danville Road at the U.S. 127 intersection at a very high rate of speed “with multiple blown tires” according to the uniform citation. He almost struck two other vehicles while running a red light at the intersection. Police tried to stop Roby but were unable due to the vehicle’s speed and improper passing on the median, according to the uniform citation.
Following a cloud of dust and smoke, police located Roby’s car “crashed into the side of a building at the intersection of North College Street and Price Avenue” according to the uniform citation. Officers were advised by bystanders that Roby took off running towards Price Avenue. They then learned from dispatch that Roby had jumped into a white truck.
Police managed to stop the white truck. The driver stepped out with his hands up and said, “He is in here.” According to the uniform citation, the driver of the truck said Roby showed a handgun and forced his way into the vehicle, pulling the gun from his waistband and telling him to drive.
Rather than give up, Roby then drove off in the truck with police in pursuit until it finally came to a stop on Warwick Road. According to the uniform citation, Roby was “hesitant to exit the vehicle” but finally exited on the passenger’s side and took off on foot. Taken to the ground by police, Roby continued to resist until Cpl. Isaac Shelton “drive-stunned” Roby on the rear of his left leg, according to the uniform citation. Roby then complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
Nearly a week after the chase, there is still plenty of evidence of where Roby crashed his car into the historic Diamond Point Welcome Center on Price Avenue. Daarik Gray, executive director of the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission, which owns and has their office in Diamond Point, said no one was injured in the collision, but the historic building was damaged, including a few chipped bricks and a cracked window. Gray said Roby tore up the landscape as well but said it was nothing major.
Roby is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. He is being held at Boyle County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. He has been deemed a flight risk and to pose a danger to himself or others, according to court documents. Patrolman Dustin Mical (HPD) was the arresting officer, with support from Cpl. Shelton and the KSP.
