A man described as “aggressive when he is impaired” was arrested after allegedly forcing a child to drive him around the Sydney community.
Matthew Blake Coker, 35, was held under a secured bond on charges of misdemeanor child abuse, impaired supervising or instruction, and allowing an unlicensed minor to drive. His address was listed as Richard Wright Road, Tabor City.
Deputies were called to the Sydney Service Mart in the 12000 block of J.B. White Hwy. South Wednesday just before 10 p.m. The report said the deputies were dispatched to a report of possible child abuse.
As they arrived at the scene, responding deputies saw the suspect vehicle going toward J.B. White Highway, with a juvenile behind the wheel. An adult passenger identified as Coker allegedly told the boy to keep driving after deputies ordered him to stop, the report said.
The boy parked the vehicle when instructed to do so by the deputies, the report said. Coker told deputies the boy had been driving him around at Coker’s request. An open box of Bud Light beer was readily visible in the vehicle, and Coker “exhibited signs of impairment.”
A female passenger in the car said she called 911 from the store, and that Coker” becomes aggressive when he is impaired,” and prevented the woman from intervening.
Coker was taken into custody and jailed under a $5,000 bond.
