Man driving second stolen car in 16 days, police say
Michael Allen Coker, 51, of Sulphur Springs was arrested for the second time in 16 days for allegedly abusing a credit or debit card, a state jail felony, according to police.
At approximately 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, Department of Public Safety officer Gillentine was running stationary radar on Interstate 30 westbound and allegedly noticed “a sedan traveling faster than other traffic and the speed limit,” according to reports.
Gillentine confirmed that the silver Chevrolet four-door sedan was traveling at 82 miles per hour in a 75 mph zone, the report alleges, and at that point conducted a traffic stop.
Coker was driving a stolen vehicle, the report reads. On the passenger seat of the vehicle, the report states trooper Gillentine noticed a blue Visa debit card.
Through further investigation, the report states Coker attempted to use the debit card three times on May 28.
On May 28, Coker was previously arrested for two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of credit or debit card abuse and two counts of theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000, according to reports. The next day, May 29, police added an additional charge of credit or debit card abuse.
During Coker’s initial arrest on May 28, he allegedly took a car from Paris and was found with a blue credit card imprinted with a different individual’s name and a store bag containing a new set of drill bits and mirrors still in the packaging and a receipt.
Coker was released on a $5,000 bond on May 29, according to records.
During the June 12 investigation, reports state police contacted the owner of the card found in the silver Chevrolet and learned that Coker had allegedly attempted to use the automated teller machine inside of Walmart at approximately 3:51 a.m.
Trooper Gillentine stated a meeting with the Walmart manager produced security tapes wherein Coker, in which he allegedly could be seen wearing the same clothes as on May 28, is visible at the ATM machine attempting to access $100 two separate times.
Trooper Gillentine also stated a meeting with the manager of Super Handy #6 produced security tapes wherein Coker, wearing the same clothes he was arrested in on May 28, is visible purchasing fuel and facing the gas pump from approximately 7:07-7:08 a.m.
At the Super Handy #6, reports allege that Coker attempted to access $91 of the cardowner’s funds.
During the time Coker attempted to access funds at Walmart and Super Handy #6, the cardowner told police he was at work in Paris and not in Sulphur Springs. The cardowner stated he had received information from his bank, “that someone had attempted to use his debit card,” reports said. The car-downer did not authorize Coker to use his debit card, according to police.
Prior to his May 28 arrest, Coker was arrested on May 20 of this year for driving without a license. Predating that arrest, Coker has 51 charges dating back to 1984, according to HCSO records.