Hungry Man Leads Authorities on Pursuit

July 5, 2023

By News Director Jared Atha

A Tennessee man was arrested and charged recently in Beckham County after allegedly leading authorities on a pursuit after causing damage at a store in Erick.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was dispatched to the Dollar General in Erick on the afternoon of June 24 in reference of possible larceny and vandalism.

When the deputy arrived he was told by an employee that a man, later identified as being 28-year-old Marquinton Deon Moore of Memphis, Tennessee had entered the store and knocked over cases of canned drinks which had spilled on the floor. The employee gave a description of the man and said that he had parked his vehicle at a convenience store across the street.

The deputy was able to locate Moore inside his vehicle however he refused to acknowledge the deputy when confronted. The affidavit said that Moore would allegedly drive off from the parking lot where he reportedly almost hit another car in the process.

Moore would enter the westbound lane’s of Interstate 40 but would pull over after about a half mile.

After being arrested, Moore said he became frustrated that he didn’t have enough money to purchase food at the Dollar General and pushed the drinks over. He added that he knew if he got arrested, that he would likely receive a meal in jail.

Moore received one felony count of endangering others while attempt to elude police and a malicious injury to property under $1,000 charge.

Bond for Moore was set at $15,000.