On June 18, 2024, two individuals — a male and a female — were caught allegedly stealing tires and rims from M and R Truck Accessories on South Peterson Avenue. After being discovered, they left and allegedly dragged an employee down the road, causing injuries that required medical treatment then caused an accident and left the scene. The two suspects, Megan Lukes, 42, and Richard Shannon Jewell, 51, were arrested and jailed a short distance away.
According to a report from the Douglas Police Department, the incident happened around 8:30 a.m. on June 18. Employees of M and R noticed the two allegedly stealing tires and rims from the back of the business. They confronted Lukes and Jewell, who attempted to flee. During the exchange, the two stated that they had been given permission to take the tires from someone at a local hotel. According to the report, one of the employees told them they could tell that to the police when officers arrived. The employee then reached into the vehicle and attempted to take the turn it off. That’s when Lukes allegedly drove out into South Peterson Avenue, dragging the employee with them. The report also says that while the employee was holding on to the vehicle, someone inside the vehicle started hitting the employee in the head.
When Lukes pulled out into South Peterson (heading north), the employee was still holding on to the vehicle. Another vehicle then struck the trailer Lukes was pulling — while the employee was still holding on. After about 50 feet, the employee let go and the car and fell off in the road. EMS responded and treated the employee for minor injuries.
The trailer detached from the vehicle and was sitting in Peterson Avenue. A Coffee County deputy eventually stopped the vehicle Lukes and Jewell were driving. During the investigation on the side of the road, it didn’t take long for officers to figure out the vehicle in the traffic stop had been involved in the alleged theft and hit and run.
Lukes was charged with failure to yield right of way, hit and run, and theft by taking. Jewell was charged with theft by taking. Lukes has been released while Jewell remains in the Coffee County Jail.