Man tries to swim across pond to evade arrest

Sheriff’s deputies report that in two incidents last week the person they were attempting to arrest tried to evade them, one attempting to swim across a pond to do so.

According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department the first incident occurred at around 10:30 Monday morning. Deputies went to 1241 Ethridge Red Hill Road to serve a warrant to thirty-one year old Joshua Ray Blake, who resides at 903 Fall River Road.

Reports indicate that when deputies arrived at the residence they were informed that a man had jumped out of a rear window and was running down a roadway behind the home. Deputies followed and report finding Blake “hiding in the woods next to a pond.” The reporting deputy noted that, “Joshua was trying to make it to the pond to swim across.”

Deputies crossed a fence and retrieved Blake, placing him under arrest. He was transported to the Lawrence Detention Center where he was additionally charged with evading arrest.

The second incident led to the arrest of twenty-eight year old Brandon Ray Blake, also of 903 Fall River Road. Deputies report that they went to 1510 Fall River Road Monday afternoon to serve warrants for violation of probation and failure to appear in court.

Reports show that when deputies pulled into the driveway, Blake exited the residence and walked toward the patrol car. When they explained the purpose of their visit, Blake asked to call his girlfriend to explain the situation. Deputies told Blake that he would be able to make the call after he had been handcuffed.

They report that at that point, Blake turned and fled across the yard. A deputy pursued him and was able to apprehend him after a brief chase. Blake was searched and deputies report that they found a pain reliever bottle in one of his pockets that contained $11 in cash and seven Oxycodone pills.

Blake was transported to the detention center, as well. There he was booked under charges of evading arrest and possession of Schedule II narcotics for the purpose of resale.