LEEDS — Law enforcement officials made arrests last week on two separate incidents. The first incident was a shooting involving a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy and the other had to do with a scam perpetrated at a local businesses located off of I-20.

On Wednesday, August 25, an off-duty deputy was shot at while driving in the area of Hwy. 119 and Grace Street in Leeds.

After an joint investigation between the Leeds Police Department and sheriff’s office a suspect was identified and a search began. On Friday, officials arrested 18-year-old Matlando West. He is charged with attempted murder.

The incident began, according to officials, when an off duty deputy was on his way home in his personal vehicle when he encountered several people walking in the roadway and blocking traffic. He asked them to move so he could pass. At that point, West allegedly began to curse at him. The deputy then identified himself and asked that the people move from the roadway. West cursed him again and added that he was 30 years old and had two uncles who are state troopers.

As the deputy turned on to Grace Avenue the male subject produced a handgun and fired one round through the rear window of the deputy’s vehicle. The deputy in return fired one round back at the subject. No one was hit.

The suspect then ran along Vivian Street, beginning the search for the shooter. Detectives with the LPD and sheriff’s office canvassed the neighborhood where the shooting took place. Several people were interviewed and West was identified as a suspect.

According to officials, during questioning, West confessed to shooting at the deputy. He was taken in to custody and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on $60,000 bond.

The investigation continues as detectives attempt to locate the weapon used.   

Exit 144 Scam

In a separate case, Leeds Police arrested two suspects over the August 28-29 weekend related to a scam perpetrated at local gas stations.

The names of the suspects were not released, but they are charged with breaking and entering a vehicle, theft of property and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Both incidents occurred at the 144 exit of I-20.

According to the LPD, the suspects approached a victim and claimed to have no money for food or gas. After the victim bought the suspects gas, one of the suspects reached in the window and stole a purse. They two suspects then fled in a green Ford Explorer.

On Sunday evening, suspects matching the description from the incident the night before approached another victim in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. Officials said after offering to help, the suspect opened the passenger side door of the victim’s vehicle and took a wallet that was sitting on the seat.

Officials said an alert witness followed the suspects from the scene and provided detailed information on the suspects’ vehicle. LPD officers found the suspects a short time later an took them into custody.

Formal charges are pending screening at the St. Clair District Attorney’s Office, according to officials.

Leeds Police Chief Ted Cook said the incident shows that is important to use caution when approached by unknown individuals.