Chief Reports Naughty List Should Be Slim
WATER VALLEY – Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Santa’s naughty list in Water Valley should be slim this year after parade goers were well behaved Friday night and officers only encountered minor incidents in the city during the last week.
The arrests include James Dillon Lancaster, who was arrested during a traffic stop on Hwy. 7 on Dec. 2. Lancaster had an outstanding bench warrant from circuit court and was turned over to the county.
Jennifer Gurner of Tremont was arrested on Dec. 1. The arrest was made during a traffic stop when officers determined she was wanted by Itawamba County for failure to appear. He said Gurner was detained until authorities from Itawamba County could come get her.
The chief added that an arrest warrant has been issued for Jeremy Michael Derrick, 34, for the charge of uttering forgery. Derrick allegedly cashed a stolen check for $250 on a closed account at a local bank on Nov. 21.
Mangrum said a checkbook was likely stolen from a residence or vehicle earlier this year. A Good Samaritan discovered the personal property that included the checkbook and turned it in to the police department on Sept. 12.
“We believe someone stole the checks and discarded the property and that is when a citizen found it,” Mangrum explained. “Two months later one of the checks that matched the checks from the checkbook was fraudulently cashed.”
“We believe someone stole the checks and discarded the property and that is when a citizen found it,” Mangrum explained. “Two months later one of the checks that matched the checks from the checkbook was fraudulently cashed.”
The chief also said the original theft of the checkbook was not reported.
“This is a great example of why it is important to report a vehicle burglary, even if you think nothing of value was taken. The owner of this checkbook probably didn’t think about the checks because the account was closed,” he explained.
Mangrum said Derrick is from the Morton area, but is believed to be staying in this area.
