Chief: Be Sure To Secure Valuables And Lock Doors
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WATER VALLEY – A string of auto burglaries in the city has the police chief issuing an all-too-familiar warning to residents that typically coincides with warm weather each summer.
“Lock your vehicle doors and remove or secure any valuables in your vehicle,” Chief Jason Mangrum urges. “They are walking around pulling door handles looking for an easy score.”
The warning comes after 10 incidents of vehicle burglaries in the city have been reported since late April.
“We have had reports from Chestnut Street to Dupuy to Panola,” Mangrum said. “It is happening all over town.”
Mangrum said that among the items reported stolen are three firearms and cash.
“We are getting close to $1,000 in cash reported stolen when you add up all of the incidents,” the chief explained.
“We believe all of the recent incidents are connected. We do have a person of interest and anticipate an arrest in the near future.”
The chief also stated that vehicle burglaries are a threat all year but seem to intensify in late spring or early summer.
Mangrum stresses that locking your vehicle and removing valuables is the best deterrent, especially overnight. He also encourages people in the city to always report suspicious activity if it appears someone may have entered their vehicle, even if nothing was taken.
“Chances are there have been some other cases in the city that weren’t reported if the owner didn’t notice anything missing. Please report it, even if it happened two weeks ago. Your information could help our investigation as we work to make sure there isn’t a pattern,” the chief explained.
To contact the police department for non-emergency, you can call the dispatch at (662) 473-2933 or by emailing Mangrum at wvpdchief@outlook.com. For emergencies dial 911.
In other law enforcement activity, Mangrum reported his department is investigating shootings on Charlie Harris Street. On May 4, an occupied vehicle was shot one time in the passenger door. On May 11, a parked vehicle was also shot on the same street.
Mangrum reported the shootings are likely connected and remain under investigation.
“We think this is an ongoing feud between individuals, but that is not confirmed yet,” the chief said.
Mangrum encourages anyone with information about the shootings to contact his department.
“Honestly there has been very little cooperation in this case. We can’t stress enough how dangerous it is to shoot into a vehicle. Drive-by shootings in Mississippi are very serious offenses and a conviction carries a lengthy period of incarceration,” Mangrum added.
Mangrum also stressed the shootings are dangerous for people in the vicinity.
“There are a lot of children in this neighborhood, and we want to do everything we can to keep them safe,” Mangrum added. “Please reach out to us if you have any information.”
Arrests reported the chief include:
• Orphan Annie Conard of Water Valley was arrested for DUI at a driver’s license checkpoint on Market Street on May 10.. The chief reported officers detected the odor of marijuana and an intoxicating beverage and launched a DUI investigation. Conard was charged with DUI – second offense, no driver’s license and possession of an open container of alcohol.
• Steven Woodard of Water Valley was arrested for DUI on May 1. Woodard was stopped a speeding violation on Hwy. 7 and officers clocked him traveling 85 MPH. During the stop officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage and observed an open container of beer.
“They started a DUI investigation and made the arrest for no driver’s license and DUI – first offense.”
• Akeem Bailey of Water Valley was arrested for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage on May 5. Bailey allegedly struck a pole in the Sprint Mart parking lot and immediately fled. He was arrested shortly afterwards at the Express Mart on Hwy. 7.
• Officers are investigating an incident after a motorist fled from authorities on May 11. The chief reported charges will include felony fleeing.
