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Car thefts, aggravated assaults spike in West Memphis

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By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

While major crime rates dropped in most categories in West memphis this year, aggravated assaults and vehicle thefts surged during the last two weeks in July.

By definition, an aggravated assault involves a weapon with an intent to cause harm to a victim. Aggravated assaults were running double the numbers posted last year according to the last 28-day cycle of offenses reported by police. The reports track numbers fed to the FBI database as official city crime statistics.

Summer travel season traditionally closes at the end of July as schools have scheduled to open in early August, but it wasn’t soon enough for one unfortunate family while filling up along the Interstate. Officers responded to the area of Love’s Travel Stop on Friday, July 30 at approximately 4 a.m. in reference to an aggravated robbery and carjacking.

“Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim who advised that her husband and two children were in the vehicle which was parked at the fueling center,” reported Capt. Troy Galtelli. “The victim advised that a black male wearing a mask, purple and black stripped hoodie and dark pants ran to the vehicle and pointed a firearm at them demanding them exit the vehicle. The suspect then stole the vehicle. This is an active investigation.”

Two other carjacking incidents also occurred earlier in the month, both at the Flash Market 1230 N. Missouri Street. One victim left keys in the unlocked car to go in the store. The other car was stolen and driver robbed at gunpoint. Police said this week both

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Flash Market incidents were still being actively investigated.

Police responded to trouble the night before at the same place after a call a trucker had been assaulted and robbed. The victim had been knocked down and bled from the head after having his wallet stolen.

“Officers made contact with the victim who advised that he was approached from behind by a black male subject wearing a white tee shirt and blue jeans,” reported Galtelli.” The victim advised he was walking his dog and the suspect struck him multiple times in the back of his head. The suspect then stole his wallet and fled the scene.”

One victim accused his mechanic of stealing his motorcycle.

Officers responded to the area of 2100 Gathings on July 25 at approximately 10 p.m. in reference to a vehicle theft,” wrote Galtelli. “The victim advised that he was having work done on his motorcycle and now the person doing the work on the motorcycle is refusing to return the motorcycle.”

In another incident, a child saw a gun pointed toward his mother’s car at Missouri Street and Glenn Bailey in a noontime incident on Sunday, July 25.

“The victim’s child yelled at her that the driver of the black BMW was pointing a black handgun at their direction,” said Galtelli. “The victim then stated that the BMW sped up and entered the interstate. The vehicle continued toward Memphis.”

Also, erratic driving led to a traffic stop, the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of a juvenile in the wee hours Friday morning.

Officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of Rainer Road and Arrington Street on July 23, at approximately 1:30 a.m.” reported Galtelli. “The officer observed the vehicle swerving in and out of lanes in the area of Rainer Road and Arrington Street. Officers then proceeded to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle. The vehicle refused to stop and fled the scene. Officers got the vehicle stopped and made contact with the occupants of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as being a juvenile, 15 years old. The juvenile driver was transported to juvenile detention facility. The vehicle was then discovered to be stolen. The victim advised they wished to prosecute.”

One thief proved there was more than one way to steal a car during a vehicle transaction when relatives paid with counterfeit cash.

“Officers responded to the area of 300 South Worthington to a theft of vehicle on July 22,” said Galtelli. “Officers determined that the victim was selling her vehicle to a family member and the family member paid the victim for the vehicle. The money that given to the victim, part of the cash was determined to be counterfeit. This case is still active and under investigation.”

Another Interstate gas station was the scene of an aggravated robbery involving a travelers on July 21.

“Officers made contact with the victim at the Horizon Fueling Center on College Blvd., and he advised that he met a Hispanic male in Miami who agreed to give him a ride to Las Vegas,” reported Galtelli. “While traveling to Las Vegas, they stop here in West Memphis. The suspect then forced the victim to give him his wallet, money and clothes. While demanding the items, the suspect displayed a knife but never pointed it at him.

A thief drove of with a car from the Ingram Blvd. Citgo station in the evening on July 20.

“The victim stated that he left the keys to the vehicle in the vehicle and walked into the store.” reported Galtelli. “The victim stated that three black male suspects entered his vehicle and drove towards Memphis.”

The case is still active as investigators are working to develop suspects.

Police also logged a pair of unrelated incidents with gunplay led to police responding to aggravated assault calls on Monday, July 19.

Officers responded to the area of 210 W. Jackson on in reference to an aggravated assault,” wrote Galtelli. “The victim advised officers that they heard gunshots while a juvenile victim was looking out the window of the residence. There were no injuries sustained during this incident.”

Officers also responded to the area of 100 block of Anna Lane in reference to another aggravated assault.

“The victim advised that they were involved in an altercation with another neighborhood member,” Galtelli said. “Later on, that individual came to the victim’s residence and pointed a firearm them and threatened to shoot them.”

A thief took the opportunity to steal an unattended running car at Domino’s Pizza late Monday night, July 19.

“The victim advised that he parked his vehicle running with the keys in it but locked while he went inside the store,” said Galtelli. “The victim stated that he observed a black male subject enter his vehicle and drive north on Missouri Street.”

Anyone with information in regard to these incidents is advised to contact the West Memphis Police Department at (870) 732-7555.

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