Law Enforcement Report
New Deputies – Yalobusha Sheriff Lance Humphreys (center) has hired two new deputies, Regis Mister (left) and Thomas West (right). A DUI grant funded the salary of one extra deputy, allowing Hump-hreys to create another position in the department. The second deputy was hired to fill a vacancy in the department. Mister has family in Coffeeville and West lives in Water Valley. – Photo by Jack Gurner
Oakland Man Faces Charges In Crime Spree
By David Howell
Editor
OAKLAND – An Oakland man faces misdemeanor and felony charges after his alleged involvement in the theft of almost a dozen heavy duty batteries. The batteries were stolen from three different rural locations in the county in the late night or early morning hours on Nov. 10 or 11.
Yalobusha Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported that Lewis Pitchford, 30, had been sought by deputies since last Thursday after he allegedly stole the batteries.
Pitchford was arrested Monday afternoon by the Oakland Police Depart-ment, and Humphreys hinted that additional arrests are forthcoming.
The stolen batteries were sold to Martin Brothers in Sardis for $220, but not before scrap yard workers made a copy of Pitchford’s driver’s license.
“The suspect had just left the scrap yard when we called Thursday morning,” Humphreys said. “We just missed him there and had been actively looking for him since then.”
Pitchford’s arrest in Oakland comes after an alleged shoplifting incident at Dollar General. “The Oakland police set up a road block and caught him after he left the store,” Humphreys told the Herald.
In addition to the shoplifting charge in Oakland, he was also charged with petty larceny and grand larceny for the batteries.
The batteries had been removed from parked 18-wheeler trucks, eight from Burney Farms on CR 211 and two from a truck belonging to Coley Bailey. The same night, a battery was taken from a skidder parked on County Road 96.
Deputies recovered all but four of the batteries, and are still missing two aluminum battery covers valued at almost $500 each.
Humphreys urged anyone with information about additional suspects in the case, the missing batteries or other information connected to this crime to contact the sheriff’s department or Yalobusha Crime Stoppers at 1-866-933-TIPS or 473-4935. An email tip can also be sent to TIPS@Yalo bushaCounty. net.
Crime Stoppers callers are never required to reveal their identity nor testify in court.
In other law enforcement news:
• Humphreys reported that Crime Stoppers had paid $750 to the individual that contacted the sheriff’s department to identify the suspect in surveillance video of the October 5 bank robbery at Regions Bank in Water Valley. The caller recognized the bank video footage of the gunman on the 5 p.m. news, and called authorities.
Shortly after receiving the tip, the Water Valley Police Department was able to apprehend Chris Eric Cooper at a residence in Lafayette County. Cooper is charged with the heist.
• Transported a prisoner to Baptist Memorial in Oxford after a suicide attempt at the jail. The incident occurred on Nov. 11, just after 9 a.m., according to Humphreys.
“An inmate sharing a cell with Johnny Fuller notified the jailer that Fuller was attempting to hang himself.,” Humphreys explain-ed.
Fuller had been arrested on Nov. 6 and charged by the Water Valley Police Department for felony child abuse.
Following the suicide attempt, he was transported by ambulance to Oxford. He was not injured, according to Humphreys.
“We now have him in an isolated cell with only a suicide gown in his possession,” the sheriff explained. All bedding materials, clothing and other items have been removed from the cell. The gown is designed to reduce the potential for an inmate to use his own clothing in a suicide attempt.
• Took a report of joy riding on County Road 55 on Nov. 13.
Humphreys said the misdemeanor charge stems from a family member using a vehicle without authorization.
• Took a report of disturbing the peace on County Road 25 on Nov. 14.
• Botched an attempt for contraband to be sneaked to a prisoner at the county jail. Humphreys reported the case will be presented to a grand jury and the inmate could be charge if the jury indicts him.
• Responded to a call of disturbing the peace on County Road 25 on Nov. 14.
• Took a report of willful trespassing on County Road 87.
• Worked a traffic accident on Hwy. 32 on Nov. 12.
Two Charged For Possession Of Marijuana
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – Police arrested two people from Calhoun County and charged them with felony possession of marijuana.
Elinda Broughman, 28, of Calhoun City and Willie Armstrong, 29, of Derma were arrested Sunday, Nov. 14, on Martin Street, according to Lt. Rick McCuan.
Lt. McCuan reported the following additional law enforcement activity within the Water Valley City limits during the past week:
• Made an arrest for driving under suspension;
• Took two reports of simple assault
• Took a report of burglary;
• Took a report of auto burglary;
• Took a report of stalking;
• Took a report of malicious mischief;
• Took a report of petty larceny;
• Issued 11 traffic citations.
