On 6-16-23, a member of the Monroe Police Department HEAT team was involved in a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit took place from S. 6th and Winnsboro Street to near the Henrietta Johnson Recreation Center, 2800 Burg Jones Lane. After the vehicle stopped, an occupant within the vehicle fled from the vehicle while armed with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine. Out of an abundance of caution, the Henrietta Johnson Recreation Center was temporarily placed on lockdown. Monroe Police Department officers worked together to secure the area and locate the fleeing suspect, twenty-three-year-old Orlando Thomas. Orlando was arrested for resisting by flight and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The vehicle’s driver, twenty-four-year-old Devontae Coleman, was arrested for traffic violations, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated flight. Devontae was also arrested for simple criminal damage to property after he damaged a Monroe Police Department vehicle by kicking the door. Both Devontae and Orlando have long and violent criminal histories.
While officers were investigating this incident, Devontae’s mother, Shawnta Coleman, arrived at the scene. On 6-15-23, MPD detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Shawnta for violation of a protective order. Consequently, Shawnta was arrested and booked at OCC.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
