COVINGTON, Ky. — The 38-year-old man arrested after climbing under the Brent Spence Bridge following a police pursuit Monday has a long felony criminal history, according to court records obtained by WCPO 9 News.
Joshua D. Baker has previously been convicted of drug trafficking, burglary, robbery, identity theft, disorderly conduct, non-support and being a persistent felony offender.
According to court documents, Baker has repeatedly violated past probation, including shock probation and misdemeanor probation.
Baker is now charged with first-degree fleeing, third-degree fleeing, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, carjacking and driving on a suspended license. Police said Baker had four outstanding warrants at the time of the pursuit.
In a January 2023 court document responding to a motion for shock probation for Baker, who was convicted of theft of identity and being a persistent felony offender in the case, a prosecutor called Baker a "danger to the community."
"(Baker) has failed to conform his behavior to follow the law for over two decades," wrote Taylor Roof, assistant commonwealth attorney. "He has been committing felonies since he was a juvenile."
WCPO 9 News requested public records from Covington police related to Monday's pursuit, including the incident report, accident report, body camera video and dash camera video.
In a response letter, the department denied all of our requests, citing the ongoing investigation.
"The reports you requested are part of an active, open investigation. Premature release of investigative records in a public forum could compromise the integrity of the investigation by potentially impacting witnesses' recollection of the events," wrote Tracey Wietholter, crew leader for the Covington Police Department's records section.
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