Law Enforcement Report
Masked Robbers Assault Manager
Apparent Target Was Night Deposit Bag
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – Police are investigating an attempted strong-arm robbery that occurred last Thursday morning at the Sonic Drive-In on South Main Street.
Ron King, a manager at the fast food restaurant, was leaving the business around 12:10 a.m. when he was attacked by two young black males. “I didn’t know what was going on,” King said.
King was just about to start his truck when the pair knocked him on his back. “I was laying on the bank bag.”
One of the robbers wrestled with King. “He kept saying, ‘give me the money…give me the money.’”
“I finally gave him a good kick and was about to get on my feet when they ran off,” he added. “They went back toward the ballpark.”
King described the robbers as kids. “One of them had a white thing wrapped around his head with eyeholes cut out. The other one had a jacket-like with a hood around his face.”
King said he wasn’t seriously injured, but added he was getting too old for that sort of thing. “I woke up the next day and I was sore all over like I had a car wreck. I can’t do that any more.”
Also, his left hand was swollen. “I don’t think I hit him hard enough to do that. I think I hit the blooming truck.”
King said he had learned his lesson and wasn’t going to take any more chances. And, he wants his experience to be a warning to others. “Tell anyone that’s handling money they can’t be any too careful.”
“The police told me to call them,” he said referring to the WVPD escort policy for business people transporting money. “They don’t mind coming.”
Anyone who can provide information is urged to call the police at 473-2933 or Yalobusha County Crime-Stoppers at 1-866-933-TIPS or 473-4935. Tips can also be sent by email to: TIPS@YalobushaCounty.net.
CrimeStoppers callers are never required to reveal their identity or testify in court.
Lt. Rick McCuan said that police are also seeking information about a desecration at Oak Hill Cemetery that occurred sometime during the July 16-17 period. He said that some large tombstones were turned over causing damage to the grave sites.
In another incident, police have arrested Keith Cook, 22, of Water Valley in connection with a break-in on Chestnut Street. He was charged Monday with burglary and grand larceny and is being held on an $11,000 bond.
McCuan reported the following additional law enforcement activity within the Water Valley City limits during the past two weeks:
• Made three arrests for driving under suspension;
• Made three arrests for no drivers license;
• Made two arrests for possession of a controlled substance;
• Made an arrest for disturbing the peace;
• Made an arrest for public drunk;
• Made an arrest for simple assault;
• Made an arrest for possession of marijuana;
• Made an arrest for disorderly conduct;
• Made an arrest on a bench warrant;
• Made an arrest for simple domestic assault;
• Took two reports of malicious mischief;
• Took two reports of petty larceny;
• Took two reports of disturbing the peace;
• Took two reports of trespassing;
• Took a report of burglary;
• Took a report of simple domestic assault;
• Took a report of simple assault;
• Issued 48 traffic citations.
– County Crime Report –
Yalobusha County Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported the following activity during past weeks:
• Deputies took a report of malicious mischief on Hwy. 330, east of Coffeeville, on July 6. The caller reported a cattle gap had been damaged.
• Deputies investigated a petty larceny on County Road 80. Two trailer axles, four tires and some concrete blocks were reported stolen between June 26 and July 9.
“I believe we may have located these items,” Humphreys added.
• Deputies took a report of the theft of household items from a residence on County Road 2. Missing were a teamaker, a 19-inch television and a stereo. Humphreys said his deputies had interviewed one suspect in connection with the burglary, which was reported on July 7.
• Deputies investigated a hit-and-run accident at Long Branch Boat Ramp on July 13. The driver of a pickup reported damage to the front fender and driver’s door. He had left the vehicle from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Deputies answered a call of domestic violence on July 15. The call came from County Road 220 at 3:05 a.m.
“When deputies arrived, they arrested the suspect. The victim had signs of abuse,” Humphreys reported. The suspect was charged with resisting arrest and domestic assault.
• Deputies took a report of burglary on County Road 123. An electric stove, washing machine, dryer and heater were reported missing from a rental house. The owner of the house told authorities that a previous renter may have been involved.
• Deputies answered a disturbance of a family on County Road 214 on July 16. Charges were filed.
“We answered a call at the same residence the night before. He had already left when the deputies arrived,” Humphreys said.
