APPLE GROVE — An Apple Grove man has been arrested for allegedly having a meth lab in a car which he drove to flee from law enforcement.

Bradley S. Kelly, 37, Apple Grove, was arrested by Deputy J. Ferrell with the Mason County Sheriff’s Department and charged with fleeing in a vehicle and operating or attempting to operate a clandestine lab. Kelly appeared before Mason County Magistrate Cheryl Miller-Ross who set his bond at $100,000. As of Friday afternoon he remained in the custody of the Western Regional Jail.

According to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court, Ferrell observed Kelly driving a green Plymouth Neon on Jerry’s Run Rd. Ferrell said the car had no MVI sticker and expired registration which prompted him to attempt to pull Kelly over. The complaint says Kelly did not comply and accelerated, turning on to Tabnor Moore Rd. at a high rate of speed. Ferrell said Kelly lost control of the vehicle at times and finally sped off the roadway to the right, striking a tree after a sharp curve.

Kelly and a passenger were instructed to raise their hands and exit the vehicle but the complaint says Kelly climbed through the window of the driver’s side and began running down the hillside. Ferrell stayed behind to verify the passenger was unarmed and this passenger then identified Kelly as being the driver according to the complaint.

Materials consistent with a meth lab were then found inside the vehicle. Lt. S. Greene, a meth tech, was also called to the scene to inspect the car. The complaint doesn’t say if Kelly was found soon afterwards or exactly where he was taken into custody.

A preliminary hearing in Kelly’s case has been scheduled for 11 a.m., Sept. 19.