2 face multiple charges after police chase in McCracken County

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – Two people face multiple charges after a police chase through multiple fields and wooded areas in McCracken County on September 12.

Cody Johnson, 31, of South Fulton, Tenn. had four warrants out of Fulton County, one warrant out of Madison County, two warrants out of Powell County. He also faces charges of fleeing or evading police 1st degree (motor vehicle), fleeing or evading police 2nd degree (on foot), theft by unlawful taking (auto) $10,000 < $1,000,000, criminal mischief 1st degree and resisting arrest.

Andrea Leftridge faces charges of fleeing or evading police 1st degree (motor vehicle), fleeing or evading police 2nd degree (on foot), theft by unlawful taking (auto) $10,000 < $1,000,000, criminal mischief 1st degree and wanton endangerment 1st degree.

In the early morning of Sept. 12, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office received information that Johnson was possibly in the Lone Oak area of McCracken County.

Johnson was wanted on seven felony warrants and was considered armed and dangerous. Johnson has a history of fleeing from law enforcement, narcotics possession/sales and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 4 a.m. on September 12, Johnson was seen in a vehicle in the Lone Oak area. McCracken County deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SUV at this time. The driver drove away at a high rate of speed and traveled to the southern portion of the county, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s deputies say the driver drove through multiple fields and wooded areas until it became disabled in a creek bed behind a home on Contest Road.

Andrea Leftridge was identified as the driver.

Leftridge and Johnson ran away on foot from the vehicle onto the property of a nearby farm, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s deputies say Leftridge and Johnson stole a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado from the farm and again drove away from deputies on Contest Road.

Deputies say Johnson was driving the truck at this time, southbound on Contest Road.

Deputies deployed ‘Stop Sticks’ on the truck before it turned on Luigs Lane. Johnson was unable to negotiate a curve in the road and collided head on with a tree, according to the sheriff’s office. That’s when deputies say Johnson and Leftridge ran from the vehicle.

After an exhaustive search, Johnson and Leftridge were found walking in the 6500 block on New Hope Church Road (2.3 miles from where they ran) at around 11 a.m.

Leftridge surrendered and was arrested.

Johnson ran on foot into a horse pasture after seeing deputies in the area, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputy Steve Croft deployed his K9 partner Oscar into the horse pasture. Oscar apprehended Johnson and he was arrested.

The Paducah Police Department, Carlisle County Sheriff’s Office, Ballard County Sheriff’s Office & Lent’s Towing assisted in the investigation.

Johnson and Leftridge were taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.