Barbourville, KY — A quiet Monday morning turned into a fast-moving pursuit through Knox County after a deputy spotted a suspicious car leaving a neighborhood where residents had reported people looking inside parked vehicles.
The Call Comes In
On Monday, July 13, 2026, at 7:10 a.m., Knox County Deputy Thomas Martin responded to a report of people checking vehicles inside the Stephen Trace subdivision south of Barbourville. As Deputy Martin entered the subdivision, he passed a dark blue Dodge Dart heading in the opposite direction. The timing and description were enough to raise suspicion, and the deputy turned to follow the car.
A Winding Chase Through Town
The Dodge Dart did not head straight down the road. Deputy Martin watched it turn onto KY 3439, then onto Bradly Martin Lane, before pulling onto US 25E. From there, the driver pulled into the Goodwill parking lot, then back onto US 25E, this time traveling in the wrong lane.
The car eventually came to a stop on US 25E. The erratic path suggested the occupants knew they were being watched and were trying to shake the deputy before giving up.
As the vehicle stopped, a male passenger jumped out of the rear seat and took off running. Deputy Martin gave chase on foot and caught him a short distance away.
Charges Pile Up for Both Suspects
The man who ran was identified as 19-year-old Christian Kanrom of Corbin. He was charged with fleeing or evading police in the first degree on foot. When Deputy Martin checked the car, he found items taken from two vehicles back in the Stephen Trace subdivision, including a firearm.
That discovery led to additional charges against Kanrom, including theft by unlawful taking of a firearm, two counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition of other property, and tampering with physical evidence.
The woman driving the car, 18-year-old Kirsten Kidd of Williamsburg, was also arrested. She faces a charge of fleeing or evading police in the first degree by vehicle for her role in leading the deputy on the chase before finally stopping.
Both Kanrom and Kidd were taken to the Knox County Detention Center following their arrests.
Community members reacted with gratitude toward the sheriff’s department after the post went up, with several residents thanking Deputy Martin for the quick response. Others in the comments questioned whether a third person may have been in the vehicle, though no additional arrests or charges beyond Kanrom and Kidd have been announced at this time.
