MAN ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING INTO WOODS WITH A KNIFE

MAN ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING INTO WOODS WITH A KNIFE

ALUM CREEK, WV – On February 25, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m., deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve paperwork on Joshua David Saul at a residence on Rabel Mountain Road in Alum Creek, West Virginia.

During the attempt to serve the paperwork, Saul allegedly brandished a knife and fled from the residence into a wooded area.

Lieutenant Ratliff and K-9 Bailee responded to the scene along with members of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Field Operations B Shift. Officers with the South Charleston Police Department and troopers with the West Virginia State Police also responded to assist. A perimeter was established to contain Saul in the area so a K-9 track could be conducted.

K-9 Bailee led law enforcement on an approximately three-mile track through wooded terrain. Once located and surrounded by law enforcement, Saul allegedly refused commands and began walking toward officers with the knife drawn. A non-lethal bean bag shotgun round was deployed, successfully disarming Saul and allowing deputies to take him into custody without further incident.

Joshua David Saul was charged with West Virginia Criminal Code §61-5-27(b)(1), Intimidating a Public Officer or Employee by Threats or Harassment and Obstructing or Impeding an Officer in the Performance of Official Duties. He will be video arraigned by a Kanawha County Magistrate at a later time.

Anybody that is arrested is to be presumed innocent until

proven guilty in a court of law.