Police seek man that led them on high speed chase
The Russellville Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating a man who allegedly exposed himself to a local clerk on Friday night and then led officers on a high speed car chase through two counties.
Alfred Ronnie Warden, Jr., 32, with a last known address of 4435 Marion 11, Hamilton, is wanted on charges of first-degree attempted assault and indecent exposure, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.
According to Hargett, the RPD received a 911 call on Friday about 9 p.m. from a female clerk at Security Finance located in the Franklin Shopping Center on U.S. 43.
Hargett said the clerk stated Warden was attempting to make entry to the business to allegedly solicit donations.
Hargett said when the clerk told Warden the business was closed for the evening and he would have to return the next day, he allegedly exposed himself, which prompted the clerk to make the 911 call.
“When we received the call, a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was already close to the Franklin Shopping Center when he heard the call come through,” Hargett said.
“He pulled in to make the traffic stop, but when one of our officers arrived on the scene to make a positive ID, Warden took off in his vehicle.”
Hargett said Warden led officers on a high-speed chase through Franklin County and into Marion County where the Hamilton Police Department set out spike strips in an attempt to get Warden’s vehicle stopped.
“After the spike strips incapacitated the vehicle, Warden then got out of his vehicle and fled into the woods in Marion County,” Hargett said.
“Officers from our department, the sheriff’s office and Marion County all entered the woods and attempted to find him but were unsuccessful.”
Police investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said felony warrants for indecent exposure and first-degree attempted assault were issued Monday morning.
Lowery said the assault charge stems from Warden throwing a hard object out of his car during the chase to deter the officers who were in pursuit.
Lowery said the object struck the officer’s windshield and could have caused serious damage had it actually broken through.
“We are very thankful that no one was injured during the car chase,” Hargett said. “Those are always dangerous situations for the officers and for innocent bystanders.
“Right now we consider Warden to be dangerous, so anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call us or their local law enforcement agency so we can get him off the streets.”
Warden is described as a white male with a shaved head and facial hair that might or might not have been shaved off at this point. He is 5’ 5” tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds.
Anyone with information about this man can call the RPD at 256-332-2230 or their local law enforcement agency.