Charges mount on ex-fireman

A former Walnut Hill Volunteer Department fireman accused of stealing the department's brush truck in April is now behind bars in Escambia County, Ala., on multiple unrelated charges that involve a domestic dispute between him and his ex-girl friend.

Lawrence Ethan Coon, 22, 3510 Sandy Hollow Road, Century, was arrested by Escambia County (Ala.) sheriff's deputies May 2 and charged with domestic violence III (harassment), domestic violence III (reckless endangerment), domestic violence III (criminal mischief), interfering with a 911 call, tampering with physical evidence, having a concealed pistol without a permit, theft of property III, stalking I, theft of property II and criminal mischief I. Officials say more charges are likely.

According to the reports filed by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office, Deputy Logan Murphy was dispatched on May 2 to a domestic situation in the roadway on Ross Gate Road.

Murphy reported when he approached the scene with his blue emergency lights on he noticed a silver Toyota Tacoma blocking the roadway which blocked a school bus and a white vehicle.

Dispatchers also advised Deputy Murphy that the 911 call to report the incident ended abruptly after the dispatcher heard a horn honk.

Murphy reported when the driver of the Tacoma, later identified as Coon, saw his emergency lights he began to speed off toward Butler Street. Murphy continued after the truck and initiated a traffic stop near Butler Street. Dispatchers also notified Murphy that Coon was known to possess a pistol.

Using a public address system from his patrol car, Murphy instructed Coon to keep his hands outside the vehicle.

Murphy said when Coon first got out of the vehicle he began to ramble about stuff that happened a few weeks before between him and his girlfriend.

Murphy asked Coon if he had any weapons and he said there was a pistol in the glove box. The officer also asked Coon if he thought running the victim off the road and beating on her window was a good way to talk to her. Coon said no and was placed under arrest.

The victim told Murphy she was heading to work at Windcreek Casino and saw Coon's truck parked near a church near the end of Ross Gate Road. She said after she passed the church, Coon attempted to run her off the road and then got in front of her causing her to stop. She said she was able to get around Coon's vehicle but he got back in front of her and slammed on his breaks causing her to hit his truck.

He then began beating on her window and took her cell phone as she was trying to make the 911 call.

The victim said she exited the vehicle to get the bus driver, who had also stopped, to call for help.

She said she and Coon got into a struggle over the phone and when Coon saw the blue lights he got back in his truck and attempted to flee.

When asked about the cell phone, Coon told the deputy he threw it out the window. They were unable to locate the cell phone and Murphy let the victim use his phone to call relatives.

The .22-caliber pistol found inside Coon's vehicle belonged to his brother, who told the deputy Coon must have stolen the gun from his shed. Coon later told a deputy he bought the gun for $50. He later changed his story and said he found the gun in his brother's shed and said he was going to take it back.