Authorities say a Concord brother and sister ended up behind bars Friday, Jan. 10, after a routine traffic stop turned out to be more than routine.
According to the incident report, Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy Bret Ward stopped a pickup truck after he witnessed it pulling out in front of him on Harrison Street, almost causing a wreck.
The driver told Ward his name was “John Coe,” which Ward could not verify because the “Coe” did not have a driver’s license or any other form of identification — so the deputy contacted Arkansas State Trooper Chris Barnett to help identify the suspect using a mobile fingerprint scanner, the report said.
In the meantime, Ward also addressed the marijuana he had smelled when he approached “Coe,” according to the report. After a search, Ward said he found a small amount of marijuana on the driver’s person.
The report also said “Coe” called his sister to come and get his vehicle, and upon arrival, she too said her brother’s name was “John Coe.”
After Barnett’s scanner reported the man was actually identified as Shawn Douglas Baker (pictured), 24, of Concord, it was also discovered that Baker was wanted by the Arkansas State Board of Parole and was listed as an absconder, according to the report. A search of Baker’s vehicle also yielded an amount of meth, the report noted.
Barnett took both Baker and his sister, identified in the report as Brittnay Leann Smith, 31, to jail. Smith is facing a charge of obstructing governmental operations.
Baker is being charged with two drug-related felonies. He is currently in jail on a $10,000 bond.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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