Deputy Narrowly Escapes Serious Injury after being Run Over by Fleeing Shoplifter

On Saturday, September 08, 2018 at 9:06 PM a sheriff’s deputy was working a uniformed off-duty job at Eastland Mall when a 911 call came in regarding a shoplifter who fled from Zumiez. Mall security directed the deputy to the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot. The deputy observed the white sedan driving without headlights and attempted to stop the vehicle in the parking lot of the nearby Wendy’s.

After activating his emergency lights, the suspect vehicle came to a stop. When the deputy exited his vehicle, the sedan began to drive away. The vehicle continued a short distance before driving over a curb and into a grassy section of the parking lot. The deputy approached the open window of the vehicle and began shouting commands to the driver. The deputy then observed the driver fumbling with something in the area of the center console and passenger seat area. The deputy attempted to remove the key from the ignition, but the suspect placed the gear selector in reverse and accelerated, dragging the deputy with the vehicle. The deputy was thrown onto the vehicle’s hood and then onto the pavement next to the front left tire of the vehicle. The vehicle tire ran over the deputy’s foot. The vehicle continued in reverse where it struck the parked Sheriff’s Office vehicle with enough force that it moved the parked vehicle approximately five to ten feet. The suspect’s vehicle continued moving and struck a second parked vehicle occupied by an uninvolved party.

The suspect, Ms. Marilyn Elaine Cosby, was then taken into custody without further incident. She was transported to the Operations Center for an interview before being booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. The vehicle was searched prior to tow and several clothing items with price tags and security devices still attached were found.

The deputy was evaluated at St. Vincent Hospital where he was treated and released. The deputy complained of pain from abrasions to his right arm and right lower leg, but returned to duty upon his release. The deputy was wearing safety toe boots, which were credited with preventing serious injury to his foot.

ARRESTED:

Marilyn Elaine Cosby (pictured above), 58, of Henderson, KY. Shoplifting as a Class A Midemeanor, Battery on Law Enforcement as a Level 5 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, Criminal Recklessness as Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Legend Drug as a Level 6 Felony

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.