PINEVILLE — A Pineville man was taken into custody Sunday evening after trying to rob a diner and steal a police cruiser.

Kentucky State Police were dispatched to Engle’s Diner at 5:22 Sunday evening after receiving a call that a man was attempting to rob the business.

Troopers Brent Sizemore and Bryan Johnson responded to the call at the diner on 25E near Pineville. Harold Asher, age 48, of Pineville, was quickly detained and taken into custody.

Asher was booked into the Bell County Detention Center on charges of second-degree attempted robbery, driving under the influence, and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

The latter charge stems from the suspect’s alleged attempt to steal the police cruiser of Bell County Constable Larry “Fish” Mills. It is unclear at what point the alleged attempted theft occurred; KSP officers involved with the crime were not available for comment.

Asher additionally faces several charges from two other Kentucky counties. He was wanted in Nelson County on two counts of flagrant non-support, and one count of violating probation for a misdemeanor offense. Asher also had a bench warrant served from the Leslie County District Court.

No one was injured in this incident; Trooper Brent Sizemore is still investigating the case.

An arrest is an accusation only. Those arrested are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Lorie Settles is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She may be contacted via e-mail at lsettles@heartlandpublications.com.