A manhunt that lasted for nearly 20 hours ended Monday afternoon when police took into custody a man who allegedly stole a car and later broke into a home in Pewee Valley and stole two firearms.
Charges on those allegations remained pending Tuesday morning after police charged the suspect, Michael J. Hulak, 36, of Louisville, with parole violation and giving officers false identifying information.
The incident began early Sunday evening when a license plate reader alerted police that Hulak was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle, a white GMC Acadia, on Highway 146 coming into Oldham County. A chase ensued but Hulak was able to get away.
A short time later, police received a phone call from the owners of a home in the Stoney Creek subdivision in Pewee Valley, saying they came home to find a man fleeing from the home and that he had broken in, stolen firearms and changed his clothes, according to Oldham County Police Chief Greg Smith.
A manhunt began and included a helicopter from Louisville Metro Police and thermal imaging devices attached to drones provided by the Ballardsville Fire Department. The search was called off around midnight, but police reportedly found the stolen vehicle abandoned at Friendship Manor, a former nursing home in Pewee Valley.
Police received numerous calls from the public about possible sightings of Hulak, including one early Monday afternoon of a suspicious person walking between homes in the area of Sedley Court in Pewee Valley. Hulak was later located by police near 9300-B Ash Ave., by the old landfill, police said. He allegedly denied his identity but later admitted who he is, police said.
The incident elicited plenty of speculation and concern on various social media platforms as the public waited for information to be released.
There were unconfirmed reports of various events being canceled, and the principal at South Oldham High School released a statement, saying students there were kept inside while the manhunt continued.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to keep students inside today until we receive further information from [police], Principal Melissa Woosley said.