A man who allegedly dragged a Warrenton police officer following a traffic stop was apprehended Thursday and charged with several felony offenses.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Warrenton Police Department, on Feb. 24 around 1:20 p.m. officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Michael Lee Caldwell of Truesdale for failing to signal at the Fast Lane. When contacted by officers, Caldwell refused to step out of the vehicle. As officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle he fled the scene and an officer by the drivers side door was dragged as the vehicle took off. The vehicle dragged the officer through the parking lot as the officer attempted to open the driver’s side door. The officer later complained of shoulder pain, according to the affidavit.
Caldwell’s vehicle was then pursued by law enforcement and during the pursuit he drove into oncoming lanes of traffic, failed to stop at several traffic control devices and drove at speeds of 70 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone, according to the affidavit. Caldwell then abandoned the vehicle and fled near the intersection of Highway U and Cedar Grove Village.
A female was present as a passenger in the car and told officers that he had kidnapped her, according to the affidavit.
Caldwell had seven previous convictions for driving while suspended or revoked and also was on probation for burglary and stealing a firearm according to the affidavit.
Caldwell was not located after he fled the vehicle, however on Thursday, Feb. 26 he was taken into custody for the incident.
Caldwell was charged with kidnapping, assault in the second degree and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention. He is currently being held in the Warren County jail on no bond.
