East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers has turned the spotlight on La Toniea Coleman for this week’s Fugitive Friday, saying she is wanted on an elder-abuse warrant and was last linked to Gayview Drive in Knoxville. The alert lists her birth date and physical description, putting Coleman at about 5 feet 3 inches tall and 135 pounds. Crime Stoppers says tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward, and officials are reminding the public not to confront anyone believed to be armed and to call 911 if there is an immediate threat.
What Crime Stoppers Posted
According to the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Facebook post, the Fugitive Friday flyer lists Coleman’s date of birth as Aug. 29, 1978, and says she is wanted for elder abuse. The post describes Coleman as about 5 ft. 3 in. and 135 lbs., and lists her last-known address as Gayview Drive in Knoxville. Hoodline has previously covered similar Fugitive Friday spotlights that ask the public for help locating suspects.
How To Submit Tips
Per East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, tips can be submitted anonymously by texting "ETTIPS" to 738477, using the P3Tips mobile app, or calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 877-363-8847. There is also an online tip form. The organization says callers remain anonymous and that tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000, but that rewards are paid only for tips submitted directly to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.
Legal And Reporting Note
Under Tennessee law, exploitation or abuse of an elderly or vulnerable adult is a criminal offense and can carry elevated penalties; relevant statutes include Tennessee Code § 39-15-502 and related sections. The state's Adult Protective Services handles reports and investigations and requires that reasonable suspicions of abuse be reported, and law enforcement may pursue criminal charges in parallel.
If you have information about Coleman’s whereabouts, contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers or call 911 if there is an immediate threat. Crime Stoppers again stresses that tipsters remain anonymous and that only tips submitted directly to the organization are eligible for reward payment.
