Cortney S. Shelton, 21, of Buffalo, and his girlfriend, Samantha E. Wine, left Putnam County early Thursday afternoon heading toward Cross Lanes, according to the criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. Shelton was driving Wine's Jeep when the couple started arguing.

Shelton allegedly started to drive erratically and telling Wine that he was going to kill himself. Shelton allegedly continued with this behavior through Putnam County into the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, according to the complaint.

Wine repeatedly tried to get Shelton to stop the vehicle and let her out by telling him to stop and actually turning the ignition off in the car several times. At one point, she began kicking Shelton to get to the keys, according to the complaint.

During the argument, Wine secretly called 911 so dispatchers could hear them arguing, the complaint states. Wine also began texting her soon-to-be ex-husband, letting him know that she needed help.

Shelton allegedly grabbed Wine's phone and threw it into the rear of the vehicle to make her pay attention to him, according to the complaint.

Wine told police she tried to open the passenger door and get out, but Shelton stepped on the gas and sped up to keep her in the car, according to the complaint.

At one point, Shelton allegedly pulled out a knife and began cutting his wrist, telling Wine that he wanted to wreck and die and he "didn't give a [expletive] who was in the vehicle."

At this point, Charleston officer R.H. Coleman noticed the maroon Jeep speeding west on Seventh Avenue in North Charleston, Charleston Police Sgt. Shawn Williams said.

Coleman attempted to pull Shelton over, but he sped away into oncoming traffic, Williams said.

Coleman gave chase and noticed Wine hanging out of the passenger-side window, waving her hands at the officer, Williams said.

At this point, "Coleman did not know what was going on," or if the female was trying to signal him, Williams said.

About one mile outside of Charleston's city limits, Shelton started driving erratically and passing cars, at one point crossing over the line while trying to pass a coal truck. Coleman followed him, but was unable to pass the coal truck in time and was struck, damaging both the front left fender and driver's door, Williams said.

Coleman was forced to stop the chase and issued an alert for other law enforcement agencies to look for the Jeep, which continued to head farther into Dunbar, Williams said.

A few minutes later, Dunbar police found the Jeep pulled off the side of the road with a flat tire near 17th Street in Dunbar. Wine was still near the vehicle, but Shelton had fled on foot, Williams said.

"They found him along the railroad tracks near a ditch," he said. "He had a knife in his hand and was ordered to drop it, but didn't."

At that point, Dunbar officers attempted to restrain Shelton, who fought with the officers, kicking Cpl. Russell Kaufman in the head, Williams said.

Officers pepper sprayed Shelton and took him into custody.

Kaufman was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but his injuries did not appear to be serious. 

Police charged Shelton with one count of felony kidnapping. He was arraigned by Kanawha County Magistrate Pete Lopez and taken to the South Central Regional Jail. No bond was set.

Additional charges may be filed against Shelton, but the Dunbar and Charleston Police Departments are still investigating, Williams said.

Reach Kathryn Gregory at kathr...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5119.