Deputies Arrest Two In Unrelated Burglaries

Deputy Jim Bailey transports Johnny Holcomb to the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department after a burglary last Friday afternoon Holcomb has been charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. – Photo by Jack Gurner

Deputies were able to make a quick arrest Friday afternoon after a homeowner on Hwy. 32 West discovered someone inside their house.

By David Howell
Editor

SYLVA RENA – Quick work by Yalobusha deputies led to the arrest of a man who allegedly broke into a residence on Hwy. 32 West last Friday afternoon.

    Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported that a homeowner came home around 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon and found Johnny Lee Holcomb, 31, in the residence.

    Holcomb allegedly had gained entry through a back window, and quickly exited the same way as the homeowner came in the front door.

    “They were able to provide a good description, both of the truck and the suspect,” Humphreys reported.

    Deputy David Wallis was in the neighborhood when the 911 call came in and a second deputy, Germain Gooch, was in the Oakland vicinity.

    “Wallis went to the house and was on the scene within minutes,” Humphreys said. Meanwhile Gooch set up at the I-55 ramp in Oakland while Humphreys responded from Water Valley.

    “Gooch spotted the truck and made the stop,” Humphreys continued.

    Holcomb was arrested charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools.

    Ironically Gooch had arrested Holcomb several weeks earlier on a D.U.I. charge in Oakland.

    Justice Court Judge Gary Tippit set a $10,000 bond during an initial appearance, but Holcomb will not be released on bond because he is already out on probation from a burglary charge in Tallahatchie County, according Humphreys.    

    “The Tallahatchie sheriff’s department told that Holcomb had been charged with stealing four-wheelers,” Humphreys said.

    Holcomb was living on Hwy. 51, just north of Oakland.

    In another burglary Gregory Hervey, 18, was charged with burglary and grand larceny after allegedly stealing a Playstation 2 and two games from a residence on County Road 15.

    The stolen items were taken from the residence on May 9. Humphreys said a family member received a tip that Hervey could have been involved.

    “It took a couple of days to find Hervey,” Humphreys said. “We had the City of Water Valley assist us with this search.”    

    Humphreys and deputy Ryan Winters arrested Hervey at Rolling Hills after a tip from an informant. The stolen items were recovered.

    Hervey remains in the Yalobusha County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

     In other law enforcement news:

    • Deputies responded to a disturbance of the family on County Road 212 on May 16.

    • Deputies made an arrest for two counts of domestic violence on County Road 184 on May 15.

    • Deputies responded to a simple assault just outside the city limits of Coffeeville.

    • Deputies worked a traffic accident on County Road 436 on May 13.

    • Deputies investigated a malicious mischief at the boat ramp at Gum’s Crossing. A vehicle had multiple windows damaged.

    • Deputies worked a petty larceny on County Road 12. An air compressor was reported missing. The air compressor had been taken between April 23 and May 11.