SOUTH POINT – Local law enforcement thought they were answering a domestic violence call Wednesday night.

Friday, March 22, 2002

SOUTH POINT – Local law enforcement thought they were answering a domestic violence call Wednesday night. They wounded up on a foot chase, and one of them eventually had to take his cruiser in for repairs.

Lawrence County Sheriffs Deputy John Chapman and South Point Police Chief Carl Vance were called to a home on Willow Creek Road in regards to a report that two men and a woman were fighting.

When they arrived they found two men who appeared to be intoxicated. One of them, James Estep, 23, of Willow Creek Rd., advised that he had been in an altercation with his girlfriend.

The two men were placed in separate patrol cars, and the officers went to find the woman with whom the men were allegedly arguing.

While Chapman was discussing the incident with the alleged domestic violence victim, another woman approached Chapman’s patrol car and began speaking with Estep.

Chapman asked the woman, who later identified herself as Estep’s mother, Teresa Estep, to move away from the car. Estep then asked Chapman why he was being arrested. Chapman replied he was investigating the matter and would advise Estep later if he was being arrested and for what charges.

Estep then allegedly became violent and kicked out one of the rear windows of the patrol car.

His mother meanwhile began arguing with authorities, and during this time, Estep allegedly kicked out the other window, dove through it and ran into the woods.

Officers gave chase, and arrested Estep a short time later. He was charged with one felony count of vandalism, a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, and a misdemeanor count of domestic violence.