On May 10, 2024, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Assistant Fire Marshal Kager witnessed a theft at Brookshire’s grocery store. Sheriff Tatum identified himself as Law Enforcement and attempted to physically detain the suspect who then fled from him. Sheriff Tatum stated he had observed the suspect hiding store merchandise under his clothing then observed him exiting the store passing the last point of sale without paying for the unknown merchandise.
Officer Reyna with the Sulphur Springs Police Department was dispatched to the area of Cranford Street in reference to a subject that was suspected of committing a theft from Brookshires. Officer Reyna was given the description of the suspect as a white male wearing jeans and a black toboggan. The subject was shortly located in the area of Brinker Street at Beasley Street. The subject was identified as Shawn Bailey Coker.
Upon contact, Officer Reyna asked Coker if he was just at Brookshires and had left the store without paying for items. Coker gave Officer Reyna a bag of beef jerky that he was concealing and advised Officer Reyna, he had taken the jerky without paying for it. Officer Reyna ran Coker through communications, during which a warrant was active and confirmed.
A short time later, Assistant Fire Marshall Kager and Sheriff Tatum with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene. Assistant Fire Marshall Kager stated he observed Sheriff Tatum identify himself as Law Enforcement and attempted to detain Coker who fled from him. Sheriff Tatum stated he had observed Coker hiding store merchandise under his clothing then observed him exiting the store passing the last point of sale without paying for the unknown merchandise. Sheriff Tatum stated he identified himself as law enforcement and attempted to physically detain him, but Coker fled.
Coker was arrested and charged with Evading Arrest Detention and Speeding. The stolen merchandise was returned Brookshires.
