JULIAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Boone County man is being held on a $200,000 cash bond after allegedly damaging a TC Energy facility, threatening deputies with a knife and choking an officer during a pursuit that ended in a river.
The incident began around 7:40 a.m. Monday, October 12, when Sgt. A.C. Cook received a report of a break-in and property damage at the TC Energy substation on Patsy Lane in Julian.
According to the criminal complaint, Cook found a vehicle crashed into a gas well feeding the substation, damaged windows and evidence of forced entry into the office. Inside, a fire extinguisher had been discharged and several items were damaged.
A company representative identified the vehicle as belonging to property owner Orry Price. TC Energy leases the property, according to the complaint.
Deputies went to Price’s nearby home, where they found him on the porch. Police said he fled to an outbuilding, threatened to kill deputies and began throwing firewood and tools at them.
Price allegedly armed himself with a large fixed-blade knife. Officers deployed two bean bag rounds and used Tasers, but police said neither stopped him. He then allegedly charged toward officers with the knife and threw a farm sickle at a corporal.
According to the complaint, Price admitted damaging the facility and repeatedly insisted he could not be charged because he owned the land. Police said the dispute involved the company not planting organic seed on the property.
Price then allegedly ran toward a mountainside and entered a river as deputies pursued him. During the chase, he threw a knife that nearly struck a deputy, police said.
When deputies caught him, Price allegedly punched and kicked at them before grabbing Deputy Fraley around the neck and cutting off his airway. The complaint describes redness and abrasions on the deputy’s neck.
Other deputies restrained Price and brought him out of the river. Police said he continued resisting and kneed Cook in the face as officers placed him in a patrol vehicle.
Three deputies were treated at Boone Memorial Health for injuries. Price was also taken to the hospital for evaluation and medical clearance before being transported to jail.
TC Energy’s manager estimated approximately $5,100 in damaged equipment and another $1,900 in cleanup costs.
Price faces charges including breaking and entering, felony destruction of property, strangulation, five counts of assault on a police officer, battery on a police officer, unlawful assault on a police officer and damage or destruction of public utility company property.
