Police: Suspect Rammed Shopping Cart Into Officer During Shoplifting Attempt

JONESBORO, Ark. — A male accused of ramming a shopping cart into a police officer while trying to flee a Jonesboro store is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched to a shoplifting report October 25 at a business on Caraway Road. Officers said they made contact with the suspect, identified as David Eugene Halcomb, 41, and saw merchandise with its security tag removed in his shopping cart. They also found a magnet device in his back pocket commonly used to remove security tags.

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When officers questioned him, Halcomb allegedly refused to remove his hands from his pockets. As officers continued giving commands, police said Halcomb suddenly rammed a shopping cart into one of them and ran. He allegedly knocked items off shelves and displays in an attempt to slow officers and then crashed into the store’s sliding glass doors before being caught outside.

The officer struck by the cart sustained scrapes and swelling to his knee, according to the report. Police said the total estimated damage to the store was around $2,000, with more than $200 in merchandise involved.

Halcomb was arrested on charges of second-degree battery and first-degree criminal mischief, both felonies, as well as fleeing, theft, unlawful removal of a theft detection device, and unlawful possession of a theft detection device, all misdemeanors.

Judge Tommy Fowler set bond at $50,000 cash or surety, noting Halcomb’s “very long history” and previous failure to appear. His next court date is December 16.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court.