On June 24, 2015 Roy Shawn Pittman presented himself at Kanawha County Magistrate Court. He was charged with fleeing in a vehicle following a pursuit on June 19, 2015. Magistrate Halloran arraigned Mr. Pittman and released him on a personal recognizance bond. Below is the original press release from June 19.
Attached is a mug shot taken following his arraignment in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. As is the case in all criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Pittman are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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On June 19, 2015 at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sergeant J. Thaxton of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on a green Chevrolet Tahoe. The Tahoe was traveling south on U.S. 119 toward Charleston passing Newhouse Branch Road. The vehicle’s inspection sticker was expired.
As Sgt. Thaxton turned to follow the vehicle he saw the Tahoe accelerate. The driver began to pass other vehicles on the two-lane roads by driving into oncoming traffic lanes and the shoulder of the roads as he made his way to Garrison Avenue in Charleston. At one point the Tahoe nearly struck an elderly female and her dog as they stood at the driver’s door of another stopped car.
At the dead-end of Mary Street the suspect jumped out of the Tahoe and fled on foot. Sergeant Thaxton followed him and attempted to use his Taser twice. The suspect did not stop and it is unclear if the Taser probes made contact with him. During the foot pursuit through wooded areas Sergeant Thaxton was able to see the suspect clearly. The suspect went over a very steep cliff and Sergeant Thaxton stopped following at that time.
An investigation revealed the suspect is Roy Shawn Pittman, 44 years old of Charleston, WV. Attached is his driver’s license photograph. A warrant has been obtained charging Mr. Pittman with felony fleeing in a vehicle. Additional misdemeanor charges are also being considered.
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