Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Felony Theft/ Coleman Cable Co.

Texarkana Arkansas Police have arrested 3 men in connection with a series of thefts that have been occurring over the last 3 weeks at Coleman CCI Cable Company. Elisha Hampton (25yoa Texarkana, AR), Demarquis Thompson (31yoa Texarkana, AR), and James Leeks (22yoa Texarkana, AR) are all in police custody on felony charges of theft over $500.00.

The investigation began when the Coleman plant manager was contacted by a local recycling company at which point he was told that several subjects had been selling scrap pieces of copper that were marked with the Coleman company name. After investigating the initial allegation, the company was able to capture video of the listed suspects loading items from the plant into a vehicle. Further video evidence was provided which showed the suspects in the act of selling pieces of scrap cable at the same recycling center. A case file was prepared and, based on the evidence that had been provided, warrants were obtained for the arrest of the listed suspects.

Suspects Hampton and Thompson were arrested at the plant early this morning. When the arrest took place, Thompson's vehicle contained an addional 120 pounds of bare copper wire which had come from the Coleman plant. The third suspect, Leeks, was contacted by officers at his home. After initially giving officers a false name he was identified. Leeks struggled with officers during his arrest, but was taken into custody at the scene. Neither the arresting officers or the suspect was injured in the struggle.

Coleman CCI recycles all of the copper scrap from it's cable plant, which creates profit from unused pieces of wire. In this case the total loss value to Coleman CCI is estimated to be near $3000.00. All suspects are being held at the Bi-State Jail awaiting a court appearance. No bond has been set at this time.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.