Donna Turner, Chief of Police for the Covington Police Department, couldn’t resist a little word play in her press release regarding a recent attempted robbery.
“Covington Police melt suspects efforts to rob the ice cream man,” it read. “Really guys, the ice cream man!!!”
And, yeas, it’s true. On Saturday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m., Covington Police Department officers responded to a disturbance at the Broadmeadows Apartments located at 150 Peeler Road in Covington.
“While on the scene,” said Turner, “officers spoke with the complainant, a beloved ice cream truck driver. The driver stated multiple subjects had attempted to rob him by taking his tip jar.”
The driver further advised that the same subjects came inside of his ice cream truck without permission and attempted to take his tip jar again, breaking the mount that held the tip jar in place and taking an unknown amount of cash.
“The driver had a picture of all suspects,” Turner said, “and officers were able to identify two of the three suspects. One suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by CPD Officers. The suspect provided false information to hide his identity but was later identified as a 17-year-old male of Covington.”
The juvenile was reportedly smoking a cigarette at the time of his apprehension, so he might need to read another story in this very issue of the State Gazette.
The second suspect, Larenzion Cooper, 25, of Memphis, was observed by a second CPD Officer in the Mapco Gas Station located at 833 Hwy 51 in Covington.
“The officers observed Cooper putting items in his pockets and actively shoplifting a ‘Screwdriver Cocktail’ alcoholic beverage and a phone charger, both valued at approximately $35,” said Turner. “While officers began placing him under arrest, Cooper attempted to flee on foot but was also apprehended.”
The 17-year-old juvenile was charged with Criminal Impersonation, Robbery, Evading Arrest, and Possession of Tobacco as a minor. The Tipton County Youth Service Officer was contacted and determined an ankle monitor tracking device was requested for the juvenile to be released to his parents while awaiting his appearance in Court. The juvenile is slated to appear in Tipton County Juvenile Court later this month.
Cooper was transported to the Tipton County Jail and charged with Robbery, Evading Arrest, Shoplifting and Vandalism. Cooper is currently being held in the Tipton County Jail on a $25,000.00 bond and is scheduled to appear before Judge Mo Eckel III, in Tipton County General Sessions Court next Tuesday.
“I commend the swift work of the CPD Officers to nab two of the suspects. The third suspect is being identified and will face additional charges as the investigation continues.” said Chief Turner “We are on the third suspects ‘Rocky Road’ trail with the combination of the surveillance footage and other witnesses in the area. It would be the best interest for him to step up and do what is right and turn himself into officers!”
This case remains under active investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Covington Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-1261. Tips can be sent through Facebook messenger Covington TN Police Department or the City of Covington website.
