A man who lead police on a chase and allegedly crashed into a Middlesboro police cruiser Monday afternoon has been captured.

Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith said in a release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department that working from an anonymous tip on the whereabouts of an individual involved in a Bell County pursuit, Knox County Deputy Claude Hudson apprehended 42-year-old Greg Simpson of Barbourville.

Simpson had been the subject of a search since the afternoon of Jan. 22, when it was reported that he had allegedly stolen a generator from 84 Lumber in Middlesboro. Employees of the store called police with a description of the older model green Yukon that Simpson allegedly drove from the scene.

According to the Middlesboro Police Department, the pursuit started after they received a call from the employees, who gave them the direction of travel. Sgt. Wade Barnett met him as he was fleeing the scene. Barnett turned on the suspect to initiate a traffic stop and Simpson allegedly fled the area at a high rate of speed around the Dodson Truck Repair building on 25th Street. The pursuit then wound through Bell County.

Officers said Simpson crashed into Barnett’s cruiser on Hwy. 188 in the Meldrum area. It was discovered during the incident that Simpson had stolen tags on the Yukon from Whitley County.

Barnett was joined by MPD Officers Jeremiah Johnson and Floyd Patterson, MPD Det. Joe Holder along with Kentucky State Police and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Rangers during the chase. Simpson evaded authorities at that time.

Johnson obtained a warrant on Tuesday for Simpson’s arrest for the initial charges as well as those incurred during the pursuit.

Knox County Deputy Hudson, with assistance from Deputy Sam Mullins, caught Simpson in the York Hollow area of Artemus. He was transported to and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.

Simpson is charged with theft of motor vehicle registration plate, leaving the scene of an accident – failure to render aid to assistance, third-degree assault – police officer or probation officer, no registration plates, failure of owner to maintain insurance, first-degree criminal mischief, operating on suspended or revoked operator’s license, theft by unlawful taking under $10,000, first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree wanton endangerment – police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment, speeding 26 mph or greater over the speed limit, reckless driving, disregarding a stop sign, failure to or improper signal, failure to wear seat belts, failure to appear and parole violation for a technical violation.

Simpson is being held on a combined cash bond of $200,000.