Cookeville police took their search for suspects online Thursday, posting photos on Facebook and asking residents to help identify two people investigators say are tied to a theft case. The post included several images and listed a detective's tip line for anyone who might recognize the faces.
Police Request Public Help
According to the Cookeville Police Department, investigators have identified the two individuals in the photos as suspects in a theft and are asking anyone with information to contact Det. Matheney at (931) 520-5223. The department did not list specific charges in the post and simply urged anyone who recognizes the people pictured to call in tips.
How To Reach The Department
The city's official page lists the Cookeville Police Department's non-emergency line as 931-526-2125 and gives the department's headquarters address as 1019 Neal St., according to Cookeville's official site. For emergencies, callers are advised to dial 911.
Context: Recent Local Thefts
Cookeville detectives have been busy with several recent theft and burglary cases. Local reporting says officers executed a search warrant and made an arrest in a Jan. 20 break-in that targeted a hobby shop, 931 Sports Cards & Collectibles, where an estimated $75,000 in goods were reported stolen. That case was reported by 3B Media, and police did not say in the Facebook post whether the incidents are related.
How The Department Uses Social Media
The Cookeville Police Department's social media rules spell out that its pages are there to share information, not to replace a phone call. The platforms are not monitored as a substitute for contacting police, and people are directed to call 911 for emergencies and the non-emergency line for tips, according to the city's social media privacy policy. The policy notes that public comments can become part of an investigation and offers guidance on how to submit information.
Safety And Legal Notes
Being labeled a suspect in a police post does not mean someone has been arrested or formally charged; investigators are still working the case and are seeking leads from the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement using the phone numbers provided rather than approach or confront the people in the photos.
