An Owensboro man has been charged with felony assault after dragging a police officer by a vehicle while attempting to flee a traffic stop, according to the Owensboro Police Department. Timothy Roberts, 44, also faces several other charges for the incident and had an outstanding warrant for failure to comply with the sex offender registration. According to OPD, Roberts has been arrested at least 19 times since the age of 18.
According to a release, at 5:04 pm Monday an OPD officer stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. During the traffic stop, officers determined the driver — identified as Roberts — had a warrant and asked him to exit the vehicle. He refused to exit the vehicle and the officer attempted to remove him.
Roberts fled in the vehicle, dragging the officer for approximately 20-30 yards before crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot into an unlocked building, according to OPD. Officers were able to locate Roberts hiding inside the building.
The officer was treated at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital for minor injuries and released.
Roberts was arrested for the outstanding warrant, and was also charged with:
- Assault, First Degree – Police Officer
- Burglary, Third Degree
- Possession of Controlled Substance, First Degree (First Offense, Methamphetamine)
- Fleeing or Evading Police, First Degree (Motor Vehicle)
- Fleeing or Evading Police, Second Degree (On Foot)
- Resisting Arrest
- No Registration Plates
- Failure to Produce Insurance Card
According to OPD, Roberts’ previous charges include:
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Rape, Third Degree (4 Counts)
- Sodomy, Third Degree (4 Counts)
- Sexual Abuse, Third Degree (4 Counts)
- Terroristic Threatening (3 counts)
- Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration
- Possession of Controlled Substance, First Degree (First Offense, Methamphetamine)
- Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (6 Counts)
- Theft of a Firearm
- Receiving Stolen Property – Vehicle
- Bail Jumping
