ARJAY, Ky. — Constable Larry “Fish” Mills has arrested a man in connection with the recent burglary of Potter Town Church.

“I caught them red-handed,” said Mills.

According to the constable, he happened to be passing by the church Wednesday morning, when he observed a man attempting to pry the door open with a knife. It was the same man, Clifford York, 27, of Arjay, that Mills suspected in the previous burglary.

When Mills approached the suspect, he attempted to use the knife as a weapon. Mills used his flashlight to knock the knife from York’s hand; he was then able to get him under control and into custody.

A second suspect on was also taken into custody. Pauline Miller, 22, also of Arjay, was found unconscious in a nearby car.

Mills believes that Miller may have been involved in the initial robbery, but the arrest was made on the basis of charges stemming from a shoplifting offense.

“I couldn’t charge her with burglary,” Mills explained, “because she wasn’t on church property.”

Constable Mills did not take either party to jail immediately, believing them both to be in need of medical treatment.

Both suspects were taken to the Pineville Community Hospital, and were admitted to the ICU. An overdose of an unspecified drug or drugs, were attributed to the state of Miller and York, according to the constable.

Late Wednesday night, both suspects were released from the hospital and transported to the Bell County Detention Center.

York is charged the wanton endangerment of a police officer in the first degree, second degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, and public intoxication by a controlled substance, excluding alcohol.

Miller is being held on charges of shoplifting and public intoxication by a controlled substance excluding alcohol.

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 by e-mail at lsettles@heartlandpublications.com.