ASHLAND, Ky.

Tuesday, September 18, 2001

ASHLAND, Ky. – An Ironton man wanted as a suspect in an Ashland, Ky. murder was arrested last night by Ironton police.

Von T. Blevins, 20, 303 1/2 Walnut St., was arrested by IPD and charged for receiving stolen property; failure to comply with order or signal of police officer, elude or flee; felonious assault on peace officer; and theft.

According to Capt. Chris Bowman, an IPD detective, city police officers spotted Blevins’ vehicle at the 100 block of North Second Street. Blevins led several law enforcement agencies on a chase that ended three miles away from the city on State Route 141.

During the pursuit, Blevins rammed an Ironton police cruiser. Two female passengers in Blevins’ vehicle bailed out during the pursuit, none of which sustained injuries.

In addition to the charges in Ohio, acting Capt. Joe Preston of the Ashland Police Department, said Blevins is wanted as a suspect in the murder of a man found dead in his apartment Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. Police said the man was stabbed.

Police did not confirm the name of the deceased, but said he was 49, and was an employee of the Vision Center at Wal-Mart in Cannonsburg. Sources said the man allegedly murdered is Francisco Lara, an optician at the store.

Preston said APD officers will seek a murder warrant this afternoon.

The county sheriff’s department and prosecuting attorney’s office is also involved in the investigation.

Blevins is currently in the Lawrence County Jail.