On Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:11pmCT, the Adair County Sheriffs Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on 37-year-old Chris Janes of Taylor County at the intersection of Bomar Heights and Jamestown Street in Columbia. Janes was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Fayette County and was to be considered armed and dangerous, according to information authorities had received. Janes failed to stop and led deputies onto KY61 toward Greensburg before turning around and heading back toward Columbia. The pursuit then traveled onto KY55 North toward Campbellsville with speeds reaching 100mph at times with additional agencies joining in the pursuit.
As the chase crossed into Taylor County, KSP successfully deployed spike strips, deflating 2 of the suspect’s tires. This slowed Janes down, however the chase continued onto Old Columbia Road just before the limits of Campbellsville. Janes then bailed from the auto and fled on foot. The Taylor County K-9 Officer and his K9 tracked Janes behind a shop building where he was found holding a gun to his head. A perimeter was established and officers began negotiating with him.
After approximately 1½ hours of negotiating with Janes, he requested to speak with Sheriff Josh Brockman, who arrived on scene and began negotiations (along with CPD Officers Drew Conn & Jamie Cole) that lasted 2 hours. Negotiations seemed to be turning as Janes was becoming agitated. Sheriff Brockman & Officer Cole were able to distract Janes and get him to lower his gun long enough that KSP Troopers moved in behind Janes within 15 feet and deploy tasers. The taser was immediately effective, incapacitating Janes, who was then taken into custody and transported to the Adair County Regional Jail.
Janes was charged with: Reckless Driving, Speeding, 4 counts of 1st degree Wanton Endangerment, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Fleeing and Evading Police 1st degree (motor vehicle), 3 felony warrants of Arrest from Fayette County, Fleeing and Evading Police (on foot), and Resisting Arrest. Additional charges are pending and the Adair County Sheriffs Office is continuing the investigation.
Assisting agencies: Columbia Police Dept., KSP, Taylor County Sheriffs Office, and Campbellsville Police Dept.
