WYOMING COUNTY, WV – On Saturday, January 4, 2025, at approximately 9:21 p.m., Corporal Tucker Cook of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department was on routine patrol in Wyoming County’s Amigo area.
While doing so, Corporal T. Cook attempted a traffic stop on Chad Simmons’ Blue Honda Ridgeline for traffic violations. The vehicle did not stop, but fled, driving recklessly and at high speeds, endangering the community, the officer, his passenger, and himself.
The driver fled into Raleigh County’s Devils Fork area, eventually taking unpaved, narrow, dirt hollow roads that the police cruiser couldn’t navigate. Corporal T. Cook called off the pursuit at this point and requested additional deputies for assistance.
Deputies also discovered that Chad Simmons had an active Capias warrant for his arrest for failing to appear for sentencing in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Due to the terrain, Sgt. Logan Cook, Deputy Matt Perry, and the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department decided to use the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) to try to locate Chad Simmons.
Using the UTV, they were able to locate the involved vehicle quickly. The occupants had abandoned the vehicle.
Sgt. Logan Cook, Corporal Tucker Cook, and Deputy Matt Perry then began following the individuals’ footprints in the snow. Deputies found Chad Simmons and Kaitlyn Flaugher 400 yards from the abandoned vehicle. The two attempted to conceal themselves among some abandoned tires and other debris.
Deputies then attempted to secure the individuals, at which point Chad Simmons informed them that he possessed a gun, which they discovered on his person. A brief struggle ensued, and the deputies eventually apprehended Chad Simmons and Kaitlyn Flaugher.
Following the arrest, several backpacks were discovered near the individuals. The backpacks contained the following controlled substances (approximate amounts that will be determined by an appropriate laboratory): 188 grams of suspected fentanyl, 39 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 76 grams of suspected heroin, and numerous pills.
Over $18,000.00 in US currency was recovered, as well as a Taurus 9mm with ammunition. The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department wishes to thank the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this investigation.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
