PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Pikeville man was arrested Saturday in connection with a kidnapping investigation that began earlier this month and later led to a foot chase with police.

Pikeville Police say officers were first called to the Scott Avenue area on January 9 after a report of a man chasing a woman and taking her backpack. Officers were unable to locate either person at that time.

Later that afternoon, the woman called 911 from Double Kwik on Bypass Road, reporting that she was hiding in a bathroom and being chased by the same man. Police say store employees told them the suspect had just fled on foot after forcing his way into the bathroom while holding a knife.

According to police, the woman reported that the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Richard May, had been trying to force her to go to his apartment throughout the day. She said he tackled her, took her backpack, and told her she could get it back if she went with him. She later left the apartment but was chased again, leading her to seek shelter inside the store.

A warrant was issued for May’s arrest following the incident.

On Saturday, an officer spotted May during routine patrol. Police say May attempted to flee on foot, leading officers through city streets and causing damage to a parked vehicle before he was taken into custody. During the arrest, police stated that May was making facial movements as if he was about to spit on the arresting officers so they moved his face away from their direction. 

May was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center. He is charged with kidnapping an adult, wanton endangerment, menacing, fleeing or evading police, criminal mischief, and assault of a peace officer through bodily fluid.