One deputy injured, suspect shot in cargo trailer theft investigation

A suspect in a cargo trailer theft ring was shot by a deputy Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly attempted to run over another deputy while they were trying to arrest him.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at a local cargo trailer lot on the east side of Douglas. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement: “The Coffee County Sheriff's Office was conducting an investigation involving theft of cargo trailers. During this investigation, suspects attempted to use deadly force against deputies. GBI was notified for further investigation.”

According to the GBI, preliminary information indicates the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office was conducting an ongoing investigation regarding fraudulent cargo trailer purchases. Deputies observed individuals in the process of making a fraudulent cargo trailer purchase and attempted to make an arrest. The individuals attempted to get away and hit a deputy with their vehicle.  During the incident, deputies shot James Jones, age 49, of Atlanta multiple times. Jones was taken to a local medical center and then to a hospital in Savannah.  Jones is in stable condition. The deputy was also taken to a local medical center before being life-flighted to a hospital in Savannah.  The deputy is currently in stable condition as well.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jones and Dexter Bowen, age 53, of Atlanta, GA, in connection to the incident. Bowen was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He is being held at the Coffee County Jail.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103, or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online athttps://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.