Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown engaged in some patrol work Saturday night, helping Covington police arrest a man on multiple charges.

According to the Covington Police Department report, Shawn Okeefe, was charged with loitering and prowling, fleeing a police officer and reckless driving.

Brown told city police that he had seen Okeefe try to open several vehicle doors in the parking lot of Kroger on U.S. Highway 278. When he opened one door, the owner appeared and asked him what he was doing.

The sheriff identified himself to Okeefe at that point, and Okeefe reportedly drove off, with Brown in pursuit. The sheriff pulled in front of the Blazer driven by Okeefe at a Worsham Street address, and the Blazer struck the sheriff's vehicle.

Police report that Okeefe ran from his vehicle, jumped a fence and ran behind a house, with Brown in pursuit.
Okeefe was arrested Sunday evening. He told officers at the time that he had run off because "he has been involved with law enforcement previously and was scared."