Off-duty Illinois officers help AR state trooper apprehend suspect
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Illinois law enforcement officers helped an Arkansas state trooper apprehend a suspect in early April.
On April 4 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Wayne County law enforcement officers Lieutenant Rennie Cates and Corrections Corporal Dylan Toombs were off-duty and traveling back to Illinois on Interstate 40 near West Memphis, Arkansas.
During their drive, they observed an Arkansas state trooper who had a vehicle at gunpoint that he had just forced off of the road.
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The trooper did not have backup and the suspect refused to comply, despite the trooper deploying his K-9.
Cates and Toombs ran from their vehicle, identified themselves as off-duty law enforcement and provided assistance. While the trooper retrieved his K-9 partner, Cates and Toombs restrained the suspect and placed him in handcuffs.
The two then escorted the suspect to the trooper’s squad car and secured him inside.
To show his gratitude the trooper contacted Wayne County Sheriff, Chris Otey, to praise Cates and Toombs. He’d told Otey that when the pair showed up, it was a “sight for sore eyes.”
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In a statement posted on the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page, Otey said the following:
I am very proud of Lt. Cates and Cpl. Toombs for their willingness to jump to action even when they are off duty and in another state. They have both been presented with a certificate of commendation for their bravery.”
Chris Otey, Wayne County Sheriff
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