Police Probe String Of Vehicle Burglaries
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The police department released this photo of a person of interest in the vehicle burglaries.
WATER VALLEY – A string of vehicle burglaries in the city are under investigation by the Water Valley Police Department. Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported his office has received 12 reports from vehicle owners this month as unlocked vehicles are checked for valuables during the night hours. The burglaries have been reported on multiple streets including West Lee, North Main, Blackmur Drive, Thornton, Lafayette, Central, Eckford and others.
“We have repeatedly stressed the importance of not leaving valuables in vehicles and people seem to be heeding this advice,” Mangrum told the Herald. “So far the biggest losses reported are $40 stolen from a cupholder in one vehicle and a Louis Vuitton bag from another vehicle.”
Mangrum said the ongoing investigation indicates that the person or persons are pulling the door handles to see if parked vehicles are locked, likely looking for cash or firearms. Although in most incidents there is nothing of value stolen, there are tell-tale signs that someone rummaged through the vehicle, often checking in the glove box, console and under the seats.
The police department released an image on Facebook taken from a surveillance camera on Eckford Street of a possible suspect involved in one or more of the incidents. “It wasn’t a great image but we have received a few tips about the possible identity of this person,” Mangrum added.
Mangrum said his department also has a couple of vehicles of interest they are working to track down. Ironically with so few items stolen so far in the string of burglaries, Mangrum said the investigation is more difficult.
“It can be a little harder to identify a suspect if we don’t have any stolen merchandise to track down,” the chief explained. “But that is a good thing.”
The chief also reminds residents to continue to be vigilant. In addition to removing valuable from vehicles, he urges residents to lock their doors, record serial numbers for valuable items, especially guns, and to report any suspicious behavior.
“We have tracked down a few vehicle burglaries that weren’t reported to the dispatcher but were posted on social media. I would like to encourage anyone who thinks someone entered their vehicle, even if nothing was taken, to report it to us. Your information could help us identify possible patterns, times and other information pertinent to this investigation,” Mangrum explained.
The non-emergency number to contact to speak to a dispatcher is (662) 473-2933. Mangrum said his department can also be contacted on Facebook Messenger, but cautioned that officers do not monitor the Messenger account around the clock. For emergencies, Mangrum said to always dial 911.
Other activity and arrests reported by the chief include:
• Two 10-feet by three-feet sections of wrought iron fence were reported stolen from Crosby Street. Mangrum said the homeowner had purchased the fence sections and was preparing to install them. The chief urges anyone with information about this theft to contact his department.
“We work with tipsters to protect their identity,” the chief said.
• Cody Brown, 32, of Senatobia was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance on June 20. Brown was stopped on Askew Street for improper equipment and officers were granted consent to search the vehicle. Mangrum reported officers discovered alleged methamphetamine in Brown’s possession. He was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center.
• Chavis Jackson of Enid was arrested for simple possession of marijuana during a driver’s safety checkpoint on Boyd Street on June 17.
• Liana Baez, 21, of Water Valley was arrested for possession of a controlled substance after officers discovered alleged fentanyl in her possession. Mangrum reported an officer did a welfare check after observing Baez slumped over in her vehicle parked at a convenience store.
“She said she wasn’t feeling well. She possibly had taken one of the pills earlier,” Mangrum said.
The chief cited the arrest as proactive police work by his officers.
“We do a lot of welfare checks when we observe people who appear unresponsive in their vehicles. It can be someone experiencing a medical emergency or a motorists simply stopping to rest before driving farther, but it is always good to check,” the chief added.
