Edmonton, Ky. (March 22, 2023) – Kentucky State Police in Columbia received information from the Pulaski County dispatch of a strong armed robbery and theft of a vehicle from Somerset at approximately 10:34amCT. The vehicle, a black Kia Soul, was last seen on the Cumberland Parkway traveling west.
KSP Trooper Jamie Heller, along with other Troopers from the Columbia Post, were given the vehicle information to attempt to locate on the Parkway. Heller was able to locate the vehicle traveling west on the Parkway at a high rate of speed. When Heller attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as 32-year-old Matthew Cole of Madison, TN, refused to stop and accelerated to speeds over 100 mph. During the pursuit, Cole stopped his vehicle in the roadway and shifted to reverse ramming his vehicle into the front of Heller's police Tahoe. Cole continued west where Troopers with Columbia Post were able to successfully use tire deflation devices. Cole ran the vehicle off the right side of the Parkway through a fence into a field.
Cole was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail and charged with the following:
- Speeding 26 mph or greater
- Reckless Driving
- Operating on a Suspended License
- Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle)
- Fleeing or Evading Police 2nd Degree (On Foot)
- Resisting Arrest
- Assault 3rd Degree (Police Officer)
- Wanton Endangerment 2nd Degree
- Recovery of Stolen Property
- Armed Robbery 1st Degree &
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle over $10,000
Trooper Jamie Heller is investigating and was assisted by units from KSP Post 15 in Columbia, the Metcalfe County Sheriffs Office, and EMS.
