UPDATE: Escapee caught after chase, now faces attempted murder, other charges

September 7, 2021

Steve Rogers,

UPDATE POSTED 10:10 A.M. SEPT. 7, 2021

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, KY. (WTVQ) – A man who ran out of The Rockcastle County Detention Center last week is back in custody after a chase Monday night that landed a host of new charges against him, including trying to kill a sheriff’s deputy.

According to the Rockcastle County Jailer Nathan Carter and arrest citations, Daniel Griffin was caught following a chase down Highway 39 and Highway 150 from Lincoln County into Pulaski County where he was finally caught.

According to the citations, the chase started at about 8:14 p.m. and ended at 10:35 p.m. when the Ford F150 pickup he was driving crashed.

The attempted murder charge and resisting arrest charges stem from Griffin’s alleged attempt to run over a deputy when he was trying to put out spike strips to stop the fleeing truck, tried to ram the driver’s side door on another deputy’s car, damaged two police cars during the pursuit and punched another deputy in the head several times during the arrest.

Griffin escaped from the Rockcastle County detention Center early in the morning of Sept. 2. He was working in the jail kitchen during breakfast and when the cook stepped out to get something from a freezer, Griffin ran out behind him, Carter said.

Jail administrators have recorded conversations of Griffin planning the escape with a woman, who has not yet been charged, including one call just moments before his escape confirming she was where she was supposed to be to meet him, according to the citations.

Now he faces new charges of murder of a police officer, third-degree assault on a police officer, first-degree fleeing, reckless driving, and speeding, along with the old charges of first-degree and second-degree escape, being a persistent felony offender and other offenses.

Below is a post from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department describing the chase and arrest:

After escaping Rockcastle County Detention Center last Thursday, Deputies make an arrest on Daniel Griffin following pursuit.

On 09/6/2021, at approximately 2000 hours, Deputy Cloyd observed a white Ford pickup traveling in excess of 100mph on Old US-150 East. Deputy Cloyd attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the pickup failed to stop. The pickup continued to travel east on US-150 E at a high rate of speed. K9 Sgt. Mullins attempted to deploy spike strips to help slow down the pursuit but failed as the pickup attempted to run him over.

The white pickup continued on and collided with two cruisers. The pickup traveled south for about 3 miles on KY-39 S after striking the cruisers. The pursuit came to an end as the pickup lost control after blowing a tire and collided with a tree. The operator was identified as Daniel Griffin of Lincoln County. Mr. Griffin continued to actively resist following the pursuit. After a brief struggle, Daniel Griffin was placed under arrest and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center.

Mr. Griffin was charged with:

-Attempted Murder of a Police Officer

-Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree

-Criminal Mischief 1st Degree

-Speeding 26 or > Over Speed Limit

-Resisting Arrest

-Assault 3rd Degree-Police Officer

-Reckless Driving

Mr. Griffin also had (2) active warrants related to his escape from the Rockcastle County Detention Center

Special thanks to the Stanford Police Department, Eubank Police Department, Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, Lincoln EMS, Bluegrass 911, Wildcat towing and Lincoln County Transport Staff for their assistance.

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED 10 A.M. THURSDAY, SEPT. 2, 2021

MT. VERNON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A 30-year-old man with a history of jail escapes and running from the law is on the run again.

According to Kentucky State Police, Daniel Griffin, of Stanford, escaped from the Rockcastle County Detention Center sometime between 5:25 a.m. and 5:35 a.m. Thursday.

Troopers did not say how he got away and jail administrators deferred further information to the KSP.

Troopers said Griffin’s direction of travel was unknown. He is described as having brown eyes and short brown hair. He is approximately 5-5 and weighs approximately 140 pounds.

Griffin has tattoos on left arm and his right leg.

As one point Thursday morning, authorities advised Lexington and Fayette County authorities that Griffin might be on his way to Lexington with another man who was coming to the area to visit a relative in the hospital.

KSP asks the public to be on the lookout for Griffin and if located, contact the Rockcastle County Detention Center 606-256-2178 or dial 911. For non-emergencies, the public can call Post 11 at 606-878-6622.

Trooper Richie Baxter is continuing the investigation.

Griffin is no stranger to running from the law.

On March 4, he escaped from Lancaster Police during an arrest. He was caught on March 10 by the KSP and other agencies at a home on Harris Creek Road in western Lincoln County.

He was wanted for escape, fleeing burglary, theft and other charges, according to jail and state corrections records. He also was wanted in Tennessee and had a prior escape charge.