Traffic Stop Leads To Gun Recovery
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WATER VALLEY – A traffic stop led to an arrest and the recovery of a gun reported stolen in the city. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported an officer stopped Demarkous Dennis, 30, of Abbeville for speeding on January 11.
Dennis was detained after the officer learned his driver’s license was suspended and the Mississippi Department of Corrections had a warrant. During the course of the investigation, a backseat passenger, Ontario Phillips, 31, of Batesville was asked to step out of the vehicle. The officer discovered Phillips had a handgun in his possession and ran the serial number through dispatch.
“We determined the weapon had been reported stolen,” Mangrum said. “The officer recovered the firearm and charged Phillips with possession of a stolen firearm.”
The firearm was reported stolen in the city on December 16 after it was taken from a vehicle at Rollings Hills.
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• A juvenile led officers on a brief pursuit Monday night after an attempted traffic stop for no headlights. The chief reported an officer attempted to stop the vehicle on North Court Street near Campus Drive and was able to get it stopped on Davidson Street. Two males exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The driver was detained and released to a family member. The case will be turned over to youth court.
• Charles Jenkins, 53, of Water Valley was arrested for DUI on January 13. Mangrum said officers responded to a complaint about an intoxicated person at a hotel on Main Street. When they arrived, the man was identified by authorities.
“He was in his vehicle as they approached and he cranked it and attempted to leave. Officers were able to get the vehicle cut off,” Mangrum reported.
During the investigation, officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage and started a DUI investigation. Jenkins’ blood-alcohol-content was allegedly three times over the legal limit to drive. He was arrested without additional problems.
• Mangrum reported three different reports of a vehicle hitting a deer in recent weeks, all in the vicinity of the Hwy. 7 and Central Street intersection.
“Apparently that area is a heavy crossing right now,” Mangrum added. He also reported there were no injuries reported in the collisions and the vehicles were drivable.
