CULLODEN, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A wild ATV chase through Culloden ended with a stolen vehicle recovered and a suspect arrested.
On April 24, 2025, just before 11 a.m., a Cabell County deputy was contacted by a man who had reported his red ATV stolen earlier that day from Cooper Ridge. The victim informed the deputy that he had located his ATV parked at a trailer in Culloden.
While the deputy was en route to investigate, the victim called again to report that the ATV had just left the property and was heading north on Benedict Road. Minutes later, the deputy spotted the vehicle at a traffic light and attempted a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the driver—identified as Roy Sovine—fled the scene at high speed.
The deputy pursued Sovine north on Benedict Road, where the suspect nearly struck another vehicle and repeatedly lost control of the ATV due to reckless driving. During the chase, Sovine reportedly threw trash and other objects at the pursuing cruiser in an effort to cause damage and make a getaway.
The pursuit ended when Sovine veered off the main road and onto a narrow ATV trail near Signal Road, squeezing through a gate and disappearing into the woods. Despite assistance from a West Virginia State Police K-9 unit and additional officers, Sovine was not found.
The stolen ATV was recovered and returned to its owner. Sovine was later found and arrested.
