By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Overton resident Sue Chapman received an unexpected call from the office of the City of St. George, Utah last week. She was cordially invited to attend a St. George City Council meeting on Thursday afternoon to receive a special commendation from the mayor.

At the meeting, St. George mayor Daniel McArthur presented Chapman with a certificate of appreciation recognizing her instrumental role in the identification and capture of two suspects that had robbed the Overton Lin’s Market pharmacy counter at gunpoint. The two, Maxwell Houghton and Paulette Stoker had previously been suspected in four similar pharmacy robberies in St. George and also five additional instances in Clark County.

During the presentation, Mayor McArthur related the story of Chapman’s assistance in the capture of the two in October last year. Chapman had witnessed the armed robbery through her vantage point at the drive through pharmacy window at Lin’s. When the suspect left the store, Chapman watched his movements. She then alerted Metro officers as they arrived on the scene as to the location of the suspects. This led to the apprehension of both Houghton and Stoker.

In addition to the certificate of appreciation, Chapman received a check for a $1000 reward from the City of St. George and a $5000 reward from RX Patrol, a national initiative designed to deter pharmacy theft. McArthur also presented Chapman with a special sesquicentennial commemorative coin for the City of St. George.

“It was a great honor to receive these awards and recognitions from the mayor,” Chapman said. “It was a wonderful experience.

Chapman was also recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department with a similar certificate presented at a Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board meeting last December by Metro Sgt. Bret Empey.