By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Sharon, Tenn.–The Greenfield man who wrecked his car after the Christmas Day armed robbery of a convenience store in Sharon has been released from the hospital and faces multiple charges from two different law enforcement agencies.
Randal Lee Cowan, age 33, was airlifted to The Med after leading police on a chase and wrecking his car after the armed robbery of the Little General Store in Sharon. Cowan entered the store at 9:43 a.m. and said he ‘hated Christmas’. According to the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office press release, Cowan was armed with a pistol and appeared intoxicated.
Deputies and Sharon Police officers used photos from the store’s security system and mug shots of previous jail intakes to identify the suspect as Cowan. Witnesses said the vehicle he used was a small white car with a black wing or spoiler on the back.
While driving to Cowan’s house, deputies saw him in the white car. Deputy Shannon Neal attempted to stop him, but he drove off at a high rate of speed on Etheridge Levee Road headed northbound. After crossing the river bridges on Etheridge Levee, Cowan lost control of his vehicle, ran off both sides of the road and struck at least three trees.
He was airlifted to the hospital after the accident and was released after treatment. Sharon Police have charged him with aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment and theft. The Weakley County Sheriff’s Office will be charging him with evading arrest and DUI.
The pistol he used in the robbery was recovered and found to be a pellet pistol. Most of the stolen money was recovered.
Weakley Co. Sheriff’s Office photo.