LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Robert Reed along with Deputy Austyn Weddle arrested two individuals on Tuesday morning May 13, 2025 at approximately 11:11 AM.
One arrest occurred at a business off Heritage Road and another arrest occurred off West Hal Rogers Pkwy. in London after Laurel County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a complaint that two individuals had allegedly entered a residence not their own off County Farm Road and removed items from that residence as the home owner arrived at his home.
The offenders then fled in their vehicle out Mitchell Creek Road near London before stopping their vehicle where both subjects fled on foot as Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Austyn Weddle arrived at the scene. The two subjects then fled on foot across both north and southbound lanes of I- 75 including the concrete divider to a location near businesses off Tom Jensen Highway in London as Deputy Weddle continued his foot chase attempting to apprehend the individuals.
Numerous backup officers from the Laurel County Sheriff's office along with London City police Officers arrived in the vicinity and began an intensive search for the suspects who had split up one heading into a business off Heritage Road and another fleeing near a business off West Hal Rogers Pkwy.
Both subjects were located and taken into custody and are identified as: The alleged driver of the suspect vehicle –Shawn Abner age 33 of Whispering Pines Dr., London, KY and Chad Witt age 40 of Cassidy Rd., London, KY.
Shawn Abner was charged with:
- Possession of burglary tools
- Fleeing or evading police – third-degree
- Complicity to commit burglary – second-degree
- Resisting arrest
- Wanton endangerment – second-degree – police officer is victim regarding placing Deputy Weddle in extreme danger as he crossed both lanes of busily traveled I–75 in foot pursuit
Chad Witt was charged with:
- Possession of burglary tools
- Fleeing or evading police – third-degree
- Burglary – second-degree
- Wanton endangerment – second-degree – police officer is victim regarding placing Deputy Weddle in extreme danger as he crossed both lanes of busily traveled I–75 in foot pursuit
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Assisting for the Laurel County Sheriff's office at the scene were: Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Capt. Chris Edwards, Lt. Brett Reeves, Deputy Robert Reed, Deputy Charlie Johnson, Deputy Keith Dinsmore, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
Photo of the arrest scene off Tom Jensen Highway provided by Deputy Acciardo.
