KSP: “Person of Interest” in armed robbery fires shots during arrest

PULASKI COUNTY- The Pulaski County sheriff says that deputies responded to an armed robbery call Sunday evening where a man demanded cash and cigarettes then fled the scene.

Deputies say a Caucasian man who was wearing a mask and had a gun entered Slate Branch Quick Mart. The suspect left the store with several packs of cigarettes and cash in a 2009 Honda Civic.

Deputies say a witness was able to give Deputy Ricky Shirley a license plate number of the car. After looking around the area, deputies were not able to locate the car.

Law enforcement officers were advised to be on the lookout for the Honda Civic that was registered to David A. Strong, age 26, of 1399 U.S. Highway 27, Waynesburg, Kentucky.  Strong was considered a person of interest in the Slate Branch armed robbery.

Investigators say that an off-duty police officer reported seeing a Honda Civic fitting the description of the wanted vehicle near Libby’s Lane and Slate Branch Road Monday afternoon. Several deputies were able to locate David A. Strong in the 2009 Honda Civic.  When deputies attempted to question Strong, he fled on foot armed with a handgun. Strong then attempted to commandeer a neighbor’s vehicle without success.  The unidentified car owner, along with Deputy Scott West chased Strong.

Just before being tackled by the unidentified car owner, Strong shot his gun at the citizen. Once taken to the ground, Strong fired a second shot in the direction of Deputy West before being taken into custody.  No one was injured during the incident.