On the Beat in the Bluegrass

By Shawntaye Hopkins

Kentucky State Police are investigating a series of catalytic converter thefts in Pendleton, Bracken and Robertson counties.

Thieves are using pipe cutters to cut off each end and steal converters from cars parked on streets and driveways and in parking lots, state police said Friday. Most of the thefts have occurred during the evening and at night.

State Trooper Rick Saint-Blancard said between four and seven catalytic converters have been stolen in the three counties in the last three to four weeks. Similarities in the thefts show they are likely connected.

“They get comfortable,” Saint-Blancard said. “They get away with it once, then they continue the process.”

Catalytic converter thefts are not unusual, he said, but state police are concerned about the recent increase.

Most of the converters have been taken from Toyota and Dodge pickup trucks.

The converters are then sold at recycling businesses and junkyards.

Saint-Blancard said these businesses have been reporting such transactions to law enforcement.

No arrests have been made.

State police said anyone with information about the thefts should call (859) 428-1212.

Herald-Leader staff report

A 19-year-old Richmond man has been arrested in connection with an incident that resulted in a fire and the destruction of six new vehicles at a new car dealership in Richmond.

Justin Ryan Hyatt

On Tuesday, Richmond Police arrested Justin Ryan Hyatt, 19, of 1107 Rice Lane East and charged him with first-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for one to five years upon conviction.

The charge stems from a fire on March 06 at Valentine Honda on the Robert R. Martin Bypass. Police responded to a report of a fire at the dealership and found several new Hondas ablaze on the lot. The Richmond Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire but six new Honda Pilot vehicles were totally destroyed.

After investigating the scene, officers determined that the fire was possibly caused by someone drilling holes in the fuel tanks of the vehicle in an attempt to steal gasoline.

Investigators say the estimated loss — due to the fire and accompanying damage to the vehicles — was approximately $233,384.
Subsequent follow-up investigation identified Hyatt as a suspect in the case.

By Ashlee Clark

Jury deliberations began about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday in the capital murder trial of James H. “Jamie” Barnett who is accused of killing Clay City police chief Randy Lacy.

The defense called its last witness to the stand, and then both sides presented closing arguments.

In closing arguments Tuesday, defense attorney Marcus Jones acknowledged that his client shot Lacy, but blamed Barnett’s actions on the drugs and alcohol that were in his system.

On June 13, 2007, Lacy arrested Barnett on suspicion of drunken driving. Lacy, a 22-year law enforcement veteran, had handcuffed Barnett with his hands in front of him — something he often did for suspects with whom he was familiar, witnesses have testified. Police said Barnett, who was in the back seat of the cruiser, apparently grabbed a spare handgun of Lacy’s and shot him through the barrier between the front and back seats.

Officers said Barnett told them he had taken Xanax and Percocet pills, had drunk a fifth of whiskey and had shot up cocaine the day of the shooting. He was so intoxicated that he had to be taken to a local hospital before he was admitted to jail.

Barnett did not have the “cold, sober, deliberate mind” of someone who was not intoxicated, Jones said.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Darrell Herald said in his closing arguments that Barnett was sober enough to realize he had done something wrong the day Lacy was shot, because Barnett tried to escape and he asked about Lacy’s condition on his way to Montgomery County jail. Witnesses have testified that they saw a handcuffed Barnett kick out the back window of Lacy’s cruiser, crawl out and attempted to jog away. Kentucky State Police Trooper Britt Rollins, who helped escort Barnett to the Montgomery County jail, said Barnett kept asking about Lacy’s condition. When Barnett was told Lacy was dead, he said, “I shot Big Randy; I’m going to die,” Rollins testified.

The jury can choose to find Barnett not guilty or guilty of intentional murder, second-degree manslaughter or, if they believe he was drunk and high, wanton murder. He also faces charges of escape for leaving the cruiser and theft for taking Lacy’s spare weapon. Barnett could face the death penalty if convicted.