Two arrested following pursuit in Paducah

Two people were taken into custody Wednesday following a pursuit in a part of Paducah.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Office said around 12:20 pm, detectives observed a rental vehicle traveling outbound on Cairo Road. The vehicle was stopped for a traffic infraction.

The vehicle then pulled into a residence on Palestine School Road, where detectives initiated contact. The driver refused to identify himself and when asked to exit the vehicle, fled the scene by accelerating through the yard and re-entering the roadway.

During the pursuit, the driver briefly stopped on Palestine School Road and discarded a handgun from the vehicle before continuing to flee. The vehicle ran a stop sign and turned onto Metropolis Lake Road. While fleeing, the driver operated the vehicle in a reckless manner.

The pursuit continued onto TVA property, where the driver crashed through a commercial fence and gate. The vehicle became stuck in mud, and the driver fled on foot. He was observed attempting to conceal himself near a tanker trailer before being taken into custody without further incident.

The driver was identified as 26-year-old Austin W. Draffen of Paducah.  A search of the area where Draffen was apprehended led to the recovery of a large bag containing approximately 141 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Detectives later recovered the discarded handgun along the roadway. A search of the vehicle also revealed a quantity of suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Further investigation revealed that Draffen is a convicted felon and is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. Draffen was operating the vehicle on a suspended operator’s license at the time of the incident.

A passenger in the vehicle, 28-year-old Lorelei A. Rambeau of Benton was also taken into custody.

A search of her bag revealed an additional approximately 32 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other illegal contraband.

Both were lodged in the McCracken County Detention Center.  The investigation is ongoing.