Estill County Sheriff’s Office
5-27 Deputy Karl Rifenbark responded to a vehicle accident on Wagersville Road. According to his report, the driver of a 2007 Chevy Avalanche, Matthew Roach, wrecked into Jerry Barnes, who was driving a 2004 F-Series RV. Rifenbark said Roach, 25, of Indiana, was traveling eastbound on Wagersville Road when he entered into a curve and didn’t see Barnes, 43, of Berea, traveling at a slower speed in the same direction. Roach struck the rear of Barnes’ vehicle. The impact caused Barnes’ vehicle to catch fire. The Estill County Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire, but not before it caused significant damage to the car. Both vehicles sustained moderate to severe damage, according to Rifenbark’s report.
5-28 Susan Thomas, of Wisemantown Road, reported to Deputy Karl Rifenbark that her ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Estes, stole her camera phone. She said Estes, 30, of Crooked Creek Road, forcibly robbed her and attacked her behind her house. Rifenbark reported that Thomas returned home and noticed her dog was missing. She was searching for the dog in a wooded area behind her home when she saw Estes standing in the tree line with the dog. He grabbed her arm and fought her to the ground leaving marks and took her cell phone. He took off in a black vehicle headed towards Richmond Road after telling her he left the phone in the mailbox. Rifenbark checked the mailbox and ditchline for the phone but couldn’t find it. While on the phone with Thomas’ current boyfriend, Jeff Riddell, Riddell received a message that said, “I’m in the woods having sex with my ex Jeff.” He also received several calls from Thomas’ number. There is an ongoing investigation against Estes for an altercation that occurred between him, Riddell and the victim previously. Rifenbark filed a criminal complaint with Estill County Attorney’s Office charging Estes with second-degree robbery.
6-1 James Yates, 18, of Lilly Ferry Road, was arrested by Deputy Randy Farthing and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place. While in route to a vehicle accident on Ironworks Road, Farthing witnessed Yates stumbling in the roadway. When he approached Yates, Farthing said he could smell the alcohol on him and he had slurred speech. Yates admitted to drinking whiskey. Farthing arrested Yates because he deemed him a danger to himself.