Jackson man charged in attack on woman outside CVS
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Authorities filed formal charges Tuesday against a Jackson man accused of attacking a woman and her teenage daughter at a CVS. According to an arrest warrant, the suspect hit the mom more than a dozen times with his fist. Tonnie Lee Jelks faces counts of attempted aggravated robbery and simple assault. “This is a time when thieves is just really going forth, and it don’t make no sense,” shopper Cynthia Bolton said. According to an arrest warrant, Jelks hit a woman in the face more than 15 times with his fist and tried grabbing her purse Sunday night. The documents also states the victim suffered a concussion, a small brain hemorrhage and a broken bone in her hand. “I pretty much wouldn’t just hand it over,” Bolton said. “It would be a battle going on, so you know, I’m glad that she got guts to fight back.” Court documents said the suspect also punched the victim‘s 14-year-old daughter in the face when she tried to help her mom. “We need to make a statement that we’re not going to tolerate this type violent crime in the city of Jackson,” Interim Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser said. Wiser attended Tuesday‘s court appearance where the judge set Jelks‘ bond at $150,000. Wiser cut our interview short, walking off camera with more questions left to be asked. “We got a violent offender off the street today,” he said. Bolton said she is reluctant to go anywhere at night. “Always learn to give a good kick or a good knock upside the head,” she said. “That lady that fought back, baby I‘m sorry that you had to go through that, but you rock in my book.” Jelks returns to court Dec. 11. The CVS store declined to comment.
