Madisonville convicted felon accused of assaulting officer while fleeing

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – A Madisonville man was arrested on multiple charges Tuesday night, after authorities said he shoved an officer and attempted to run away while being questioned about a warrant.

According to Madisonville Police, an officer located Thelester Washington, 55, just before 10 p.m. on Arch Street. While the officer spoke with dispatch to confirm if there was an active warrant for Washington’s arrest, the officer reported that Washington reached for his waistband several times, but denied having anything on him.

The officer said he instructed Washington to place his hands behind his back, but Washington began running straight towards him, shoving him to the ground as he ran. While chasing Washington, the officer said he saw him toss a handgun near a house before he turned around and stopped fleeing.

During a search, the officer said he found a methamphetamine pipe inside of his backpack. The Madisonville Police Department said that Washington has prior felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing a handgun.

Washington was booked into the Hopkins County Jail and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing or evading police, assault, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.