An Odessa Police Department probable cause affidavit detailed a 38-year-old man was arrested after he stole Gorilla Tape and pushed a dollar store manager.
Chase Taylor Cook was charged with robbery, a second-degree felony.
The reported incident happened at 3:10 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Dollar General located at 102 E. 52nd Street, the affidavit stated.
Dispatch reportedly told officers that the man was wearing a brown shirt, black pants and carrying a bag. The man was later identified as Cook.
Officers found him walking in the 5400 block of Highway 385, the affidavit detailed. Officers made contact with Cook and he gave them consent to search his person. Cook was carrying a white plastic Buffalo Wild Wings sack filled with numerous items including Gorilla Tape.
Officers reportedly made contact with the victim/manager of the Dollar General, identified as Cheryl Hedgpeth. She stated she saw Cook enter Dollar General with an almost empty white plastic sack. When Cook exited the store and passed all points of sale, Hedgpeth noticed Cook’s bag was completely full.
Hedgpeth reportedly confronted Cook about the merchandise and attempted to retrieve the stolen property. Cook grabbed Hedgpeth by her left shoulder and began pushing her. This led to Cook leaving abrasions on Hedgpeth and tearing her shirt.
While on scene, officers reviewed surveillance cameras of Cook entering Dollar General with a white bag, the affidavit stated. Cook walks down shelves filled with store merchandise and places a roll of Gorilla Tape into the bag. Cook walks to the cashier and pays only for candy in an attempt to hide the Gorilla Tape. Cook passes all points of sale and leaves the store.
Cook was booked into the Ector County Law Enforcement Center on Dec. 5, jail records show. He has one bond totaling $25,000 and was still in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
