(Photo credit: Mt. Vernon PD FB page)
Saturday afternoon around 1:16, Mount Vernon Police officers responded to a report of a person attempting to enter vehicles at the Mach 1 gas station located at 1409 S 42nd Street Officers identified 46-year-old Aaron Prikasky of St. Louis, MO, as the suspect.
When approached, Prikasky attacked a Mount Vernon officer and attempted to flee. The officer, while pursuing Prikasky, slipped on ice and sustained a knee injury. Prikasky then tried unsuccessfully to steal a locked, unoccupied vehicle at a gas pump, and subsequently attempted to steal a running, unlocked semi-truck.
The officer caught up with Prikasky, and another officer arrived to assist. Prikasky continued to resist arrest and was subdued after a Taser was deployed. Both officers received minor injuries in the struggle.
Further investigation revealed Prikasky had previously tried to hijack an occupied vehicle at the gas station just before officers arrived. He had reportedly come to Mach 1 after his vehicle broke down on the interstate.
Prikasky was taken into custody and booked at the Jefferson County Jail on charges of Attempted Vehicular Hijacking, two counts of Attempted Vehicle Theft, two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, and Criminal Damage to Property.