Two individuals face charges for an alleged connection to more than 20 thefts in Calloway County in August. One of the individuals, Cheyanne L. Coleman, is a Murray State student.
The most recent burglary occurred at approximately 7 p.m., on Sunday, at a house on Locust Grove Road.
Calloway County Sheriff William “Bill” Marcum said the arrests of William D. Elliot and Coleman went relatively easy, with little altercations. He said both were apprehended within two hours of the initial call.
Little information could be gathered about Elliot. Marcum said he was a local resident and he believed Elliot was unemployed. Coleman was determined to be a Murray State senior from Highland, Ill.
Marcum said that upon arrival, Deputy Danny Williams of the Sheriff’s Department saw a white Chevrolet car at the back of the residence. Coleman then exited the vehicle and brandished a handgun at Williams, then fled the scene on foot. Elliot then came out of the residence and attempted to flee the scene using the car. He struck a partially buried propane tank, rendering the car useless. Elliot then fled on foot, and was quickly apprehended by officers.
Trooper Jay Thomas, public affairs officer of the Kentucky State Police, said Coleman couldn’t be found initially but was apprehended later in the woods by a K-9 unit brought in from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. She was then placed under arrest.
Elliot and Coleman were charged with 1st-degree burglary and were lodged in the Calloway County Jail. Sheriff Marcum said other charges were pending and the investigation is still ongoing.
Sheriff Marcum said a search warrant was issued for Coleman’s residence Monday, and officers searched the suspect’s home. Several items pertinent to the investigation were found.
Trooper Thomas said he was part of eight agencies who responded Sunday evening. He said the two individuals, Elliot and Coleman, were linked to several of the thefts throughout the county.
“The reason, is because that vehicle, was the one we were looking for in association with the thefts in Calloway County,” he said.
Mike Young, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, confirmed to his knowledge that Coleman is a student at the University.
“The case is under investigation by the authorities now,” he said. “The University has not made contact with the student yet.”
Young said the University would follow the policy on handling such events as the Student Life Handbook directs.
“In any instance a student is involved with a crime, each instance must be handled on an individual basis,” he said. “Before a Judicial Board convenes at Murray State, there must be a process of fact finding and a hearing.”
Young said little more could be told until University officials address Coleman.
During the arrests Sunday night, seven other departments assisted the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office. Those departments included the Kentucky State Police, Murray Police Department, Murray State Public Safety, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mayfield Police Department Calloway County Fire-Rescue and Murray-Calloway County Emergency Medical Service.
The Fire-Rescue units were called to the scene to address the car, which struck the propane tank. No fire resulted from the incident.
Murray State Police Chief David Devoss said Murray State officers were needed while they investigated the burglary on Locust Grove Road.
He said a Murray State officer transported Elliot to the Calloway County Jail to enable the other deputies to continue searching for Coleman. As one suspect remained at large, a Murray State Police officer returned to the area to assist in patrolling until Coleman was located and taken into custody.
Written by Chris Wilcox, News Editor.