Alleged Shoplifter Nabbed By Police After Fleeing Two Times
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Police Chief Jason Mangrum searched for Bernard White after he fled from authorities on Feb. 16.
WATER VALLEY – A Water Valley man wanted for two alleged shoplifting incidents in the city was apprehended Friday after successfully evading authorities earlier in the month. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Bernard White, 51, was taken into custody on Feb. 23 following a brief foot pursuit that started on Edgefield Street and ended behind B.B.’s Diner on Martin Street.
White first fled from authorities on February 16 after officers received a report of shoplifting at Family Dollar/Dollar Tree. Mangrum reported employees at the store were able to provide a good description of the suspect and he spotted a person matching that description near Railroad Street only minutes after the call. Mangrum also immediately recognized White and initially planned to question him in connection with the case.
“He was carrying some grocery-style shopping bags that also matched the description,” Mangrum added.
White fled from the chief, crossing Town Creek in a full run when he took a tumble on the rip-rap lining the creek banks.
“He took a hard fall,” bystander Lee McMinn added as he observed the chase from a nearby parking lot. “He was running full speed and fell on the rocks.”
After laying motionless for a few seconds, White was able to get up and head into a wooded area on Wood Street. He eluded multiple officers who set up a perimeter along Wood and Martin streets.
“We had the area surrounded, he was likely hiding in a deep gully surrounded by briers, we decided to back out and get a warrant for his arrest,” Mangrum added.
The chief said White tripped again as he was fleeing Friday, and taken into custody.
“He admitted to running from us during the earlier incident, but said he had not stolen items from Family Dollar/Dollar Tree,” Mangrum said. “He also admitted to taking a hard fall in Town Creek.”
White was also wanted for an earlier shoplifting incident, allegedly stealing 22 candy bars valued at $2.98 each on Feb. 11 from Express Mart on the bypass. He faces multiple misdemeanor charges including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for fleeing on Feb. 16; disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia when he was apprehended after fleeing on Feb. 22; and the two counts of shoplifting. He was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center and later posted a $6,000 bond. White is scheduled for an initial appearance in Water Valley Municipal Court on March 21.
Mangrum reported White is also out on bond for felony shoplifting for an incident that occurred in a neighboring jurisdiction.
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• Trent Coleman, age 42, of Coffeeville was arrested for DUI on Feb. 24. Mangrum reported an officer was patrolling on South Main Street and met a vehicle driving in the middle of the roadway, almost hitting the patrol car. The officer stopped the vehicle and detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage. A DUI investigation was launched and Coleman was arrested.
• Vernay Hervey, age 40 of Water Valley, was arrested for DUI on Feb. 10 after officers stopped to check out a person slumped over in a vehicle in the parking lot of Cash Saver at 12:40 a.m. Mangrum reported officers noticed someone sitting in the driver’s seat without pants, underwear or shoes. They knocked on the window multiple times before Hervey opened the door.
“She admitted she had a lot to drink,” Mangrum said.
Hervey was arrested and transported to the Yalobusha County Detention Center.
Mangrum praised officers for being observant.
“Our officers will check a vehicle in a situation like this to ensure everything is okay, medically. There have been other incidents that were medical emergencies,” he explained.
• In another incident, an off-duty officer was inside a local business and noticed several juveniles who appeared to be shoplifting after they did not scan all of their items at a self checkout.
“Basically he saw them scanning one item and putting two items in the bag. He got another officer to assist and they checked the store surveillance camera footage,” the chief added.
The store manager declined to prosecute because the officer intervened before the juveniles exited the store.
“We had a long discussion with the juveniles, hopefully this will have a lasting impact on them without a punitive outcome,”
Mangrum added. “Again, I would like to credit this officer and all of the Water Valley Police Department officers for being observant. We have some great officers.”
• Panola County deputies arrested Justin Poynor on an open bench warrant and a civil contempt warrant from Water Valley.
“The deputies picked him up and checked for warrants. We picked him up and he was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center,” Mangrum added.
