COVINGTON, Tenn. — Police have arrested two individuals accused of robbing a well-known ice cream truck driver in Covington, with a third suspect still on the run.
According to the Covington Police Department, 25-year-old Larenzion Cooper of Memphis and an unidentified 17-year-old boy from Covington face multiple charges following the Saturday evening incident at Broadmeadows Apartments on Peeler Road.
The victim, described by locals as a “beloved” ice cream man, contacted police around 7:30 p.m., reporting that several suspects forcibly entered his truck. After failing to grab a tip jar from outside, the suspects allegedly broke its mounting and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Thanks to a photo snapped by the driver, officers were able to identify two of the three suspects. The teenage suspect was apprehended while fleeing from law enforcement in an undisclosed area. Cooper was arrested shortly after, reportedly caught shoplifting at the Mapco gas station on Highway 51. He also attempted to flee but was quickly detained.
Cooper now faces charges of robbery, evading arrest, shoplifting, and vandalism. He is being held in the Tipton County Jail on a $25,000 bond and made his first court appearance on Tuesday. The juvenile suspect has been charged with robbery, criminal impersonation, evading arrest, and possession of tobacco as a minor. Authorities have requested that he wear an ankle monitor while awaiting trial.
“We are on the third suspect’s ‘Rocky Road’ trail,” said Covington Police Chief Donna Turner, referencing the popular ice cream flavor. “It would be in his best interest to step up, do the right thing, and turn himself in.”
The incident has drawn attention and outrage from the community, highlighting the risks faced even by those in the ice cream franchise and mobile dessert business. The robbery underscores the importance of safety measures for those operating within ice cream franchise opportunities, particularly those in independent or mobile formats.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Covington Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-1261.
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