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Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

Harlan City Police have arrested a man following an alleged burglary attempt on Tuesday.

Sawyer Pannell, 24, of Gulston, was charged with multiple counts, including attempted burglary and possession of a concealed weapon, after officers responded to a complaint of an attempted break in of a vehicle.

Harlan Police Chief Mike Thomas said the vehicle was on Horton Street.

“Officers Terry Jacobs and Hunter Luttrell observed and detained Sawyer after he was seen attempting to conceal a backpack under a car,” said Thomas. “The backpack contained several items that had been reported stolen in a string of burglaries including a handgun, jewelry, and several electronic devices.”

According to the citation, Pannell was seen by witnesses trying to steal items from a locked vehicle. Jacobs located Pannell on Mount View Drive and detained him. Pannell fit the description provided by the witnesses.

The citation notes Pannell threw his backpack under a white car when Jacobs approached him. The backpack was located under the vehicle by Luttrell and found to contain a case of golden rings, a GPS unit, a .357 magnum caliber handgun with five rounds, a TV screen, portable DVD player, one Ipod, three credit cards with the name Corey Swanner, one social security card, and one Kentucky operator’s license with the name Corey Swanner. Pannell confirmed to officers he was a convicted felon.

The gun was positively identified and it was confirmed the gun belonged to Will Clem, whose home had been burglarized two nights earlier.

Pannell faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, receiving stolen property (firearm), receipt of credit card in violation of Kentucky Revised Statutes, receipt of credit card lost with intent to use and or transfer, receiving stolen property under $10,000, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree robbery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Harlan Police Officer Britt Ross and Sgt. George Young assisted.

Pannell was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center.

If anybody has information concerning this case contact the Harlan City Police Department at 606-573-1121.

In another police report, a death investigation was under way Tuesday by the Kentucky State Police in Cumberland.

According to a press release, the state police were called by Cumberland City Police Department at 8:17 p.m. to request assistance in investigating the death of Paul H. Kemplin, 66, of 308 East Main Street in Cumberland. Cumberland police had responded to the residence following a request for a well-being check by Kemplin’s relatives and located the deceased in the bathroom of the apartment after entry was gained by the landlord. The deceased had apparently been dead for several days. The cause of death is undetermined at this time pending an autopsy. No foul play is suspected at this time.

Det. Jason Joseph, who is heading the investigation was assisted at the scene by troopers Joshua Brashears and Danny Caudill, Sgt. Jeremy Lee, Harlan County deputy coroner Jim Bush and the Cumberland Police Department.

In yet another report, the Kentucky State Police are conducting a death investigation after finding a man face down on the ground behind his residence in Knox County.

KSP Det. Jason York is in charge of the investigation. Upon his arrival, York said Matthew Middleton, 39, was located in the rear of his residence. York was checked by Knox County EMS and pronounced dead at the scene by Knox County Coroner Mike Blevins.

York said the cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy will be performed.

Sgt. Jimmy Young, and troopers Mark Mefford, Chad Gregory, Jacob Wilson and Jason Partin assisted at the scene.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com