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Last updated on Sunday, August 26, 2018
(SHOALS) - A Shoals man was sentenced to 133 years in prison for the murders of Alan Sims and Thom Tharp.
Nathan Baker was convicted by a jury in June on two counts of murder, two felony counts of theft and one felony count of burglary.
Alan Sims, 82 and Thom Tharp, 52, were found shot to death on Sims' property on Fred Sims Road August 26th 2015.
Baker was caught that day in the car after he led police on a brief chase in Lawrence County.
Martin County deputies discovered Tharp's body after he was reported missing by his family.
At approximately 9:53 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2015 Martin County Deputy Kevin McBeth arrived at 8030 Fred Sims Road, north of Dover Hill to see if he could find Tharp. While checking a detached garage on the property, Deputy McBeth found the body of Alan Sims. The body was lying on the garage floor. Sims had died from a single gunshot wound.
Police believed Baker was a suspect in Sims' death and began a search to locate him.
Investigators were informed that Baker had previously lived on Sims's property and had been asked to leave. Police then learned that Baker had been seen on the property multiple times within the last several days.
Police issued a request to other law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire that belonged to Tharp.
Around 2:17 p.m., Lawrence County deputies located the Pontiac traveling northbound on State Road 450. After attempting to initiate a traffic stop, Baker fled, leading police on a high-speed pursuit that ended on State Road 158 after Baker crashed the Sunfire. He was arrested without incident around 2:32 p.m.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located a shotgun believed to be the murder weapon.
While officers continued to search Sims' property for evidence, an officer located a shoe and a short distance later located the body of Tharp lying in a garden covered with debris. The body was located about 30 yards south of the detached garage where Sims was found. Tharp had also died from a single gunshot wound.
Police say just days prior to the double homicide, Baker broke into a cabin near State Route 450 and stole several items. For that case, he's charged with felony burglary and felony theft.
Police say Baker also stole a vehicle from the Loogootee IGA on August 23. Baker admitted while incarcerated for the previous charges to stealing the vehicle.
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