MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The actions of Memphis’ interim police chief are receiving attention after she helped Ladia Yates, a woman whose car was stolen Saturday, April 6, while shopping at a mall in East Memphis.
According to the woman’s Instagram post, she was at a Macy’s checkout line when CJ Davis walked up from behind and recognized her from performing at an MPD event. After talking, taking a picture and exchanging information, the woman walked out of the mall.
That’s when she noticed something wrong.
“Called my mom to tell her that I just met chief Davis, then I said wait …. My car’s gone,” Yates said in her Instagram post.
Fortunately, her mom knew what to do.
“Go tell the chief,” the woman recalled her mom saying.
She ran back to Davis, who was talking on the phone with police staff about the lack of surveillance in the area — the woman’s situation underscored the message.
That’s when Davis went above and beyond to help, waiting with the woman for two hours as officers made a report. The chief then drove the woman home and walked through the house to ensure the property was safe.
But Davis wasn’t satisfied with the woman staying home alone, deciding to drive the woman to her mom’s house.
“So the whole chief of police made sure I was good for a span of like 4 hours when I’m pretty sure she had more important things to do,” the woman said. “She also texted me & asked what people were saying about my car so that she can send MPD out & to call her personally anytime I need her or MPD.”
The next day, the car was found in Parkway Village with damage to the front and rear bumpers and has since been returned to the owner, according to a police report.