Skid Steer Rampage
Photo | Screenshot Roy Spiker was arrested after wreaking havoc at Treasure Trove Park in Cave City on Saturday in a skid steer. In this still photo from a video of the incident, Spiker is seen driving the equipment shortly before he runs it into a parked vehicle.
A civil dispute turns criminal
Staff Report
Many call it ‘Wow Town,’ but on Saturday, August 23rd, Treasure Trove Park turned into shock town after a man in a skid steer rampaged through the grounds, leading someone to open fire and shoot at the driver.
Part owner of the park, Roy Spiker was arrested and charged with 8 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and 3 counts of first-degree criminal mischief following the incident. Photo | Barren County Jail
Authorities say that 76-year-old Roy Spiker was arrested and charged with eight counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and three counts of first-degree criminal mischief following the incident.
Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds said Spiker was the only one who walked away with injuries after a gunshot busted the glass of the skid steer, striking Spiker in the face.
“Mr. Spiker sustained a few injuries after, according to witnesses, he was going towards a house on the skid steer where a man had grandchildren inside the home,” Reynolds said. “He took a shot at Mr. Spiker and it busted the windshield out of the skid steer causing the glass to shatter into Mr. Spiker’s face.”
Tensions had been building before the incident, according to the park’s President and CEO, Michael Barrick, also known as Tuck Barrick.
According to Barrick, the board members were attempting to remove Spiker from the business due to disparaging remarks made against an employee of the park. He claims he attempted to get help from local police and the county attorney prior to Saturday’s incident.
Chief Reynolds said the situation was really a civil issue that turned criminal. Because law enforcement does not deal in civil matters and because Spiker is part owner of the property, police do not have the ability to get involved unless things turn criminal, which is what unfolded over the weekend.
Video from the rampage began circulating on social media Saturday evening and other videos were obtained by the Barren County Progress. The videos show Spiker engaged in damaging several vehicles with the skid steer as he trailed along several different areas of the property.
Barrick told the Barren County Progress on Saturday evening that Spiker’s actions were considered to be a hate crime. He also said that the board of Treasure Trove’s LLC had recently attempted to remove him from the board.
Barrick told the Progress it was a miracle that no one was killed in the incident.
The police chief said around four vehicles were damaged. As for the property itself, Spiker really can’t be charged for that due to the fact that he is part owner of it.
According to online records with the Secretary of State, Spiker is listed as an officer on at least two separate LLCs, or Limited Liability Company accounts, with Barrick: WowTown and WowWowTown.
Cave City is leading the criminal investigation stemming from Saturday and was assisted on scene by the Barren County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police.
Photo | submitted A vehicle lies on its side at Treasure Trove Park in Cave City on Saturday after Roy Spiker rampaged the property with a skid steer, including turning over vehicles.
Photo | Screenshot At right, a man at the scene of a skid steer rampage in Cave City is seen holding a gun as he walks towards the driver of the skid steer in this still shot from a video. It is unclear if the gunshot was from this individual or someone inside the home where witnesses told police children were inside.
