Third Robbery Suspect Arrested

TYLER — Tyler Police say a third suspect wanted in the January 16th robbery of the Food Fast – Exxon, 4201 University Boulevard has been apprehended. On February 7, the Tyler Police Department received a Smith County Crime Stopper tip on the whereabouts of Ashad Rael Coats, 25. Tyler Investigators along with U.S. Marshals located and arrested Coats at Town Park Apartments located at 2202 WNW Loop 323, according to police. Coats was charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. His bond was set at $100,000.

Earlier, Darryl Earl Daniels Jr. turned himself in to authorities on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity. The 23-year-old was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $100,000. Jaqun Dawson is still in a local hospital and will also be charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.

According to authorities, the clerk said he was outside of the store smoking around 4:30 in the morning when he was approached by several black males wearing ski masks. The suspects took the clerk inside the store and demanded cash from the register. A customer walked into the store during the robbery and was not harmed. The suspects fled on foot to the rear of the store when police were called. Upon searching the area behind the store with a police K-9 they located Dawson lying in the wooded area. He had been shot in the lower right leg. Officers located a gun and other evidence linking him to the robbery.