Chief Reports Arrests For Meth, Copper Theft
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Albert Earl Williams lost control of his vehicle after a blowout, veering off Stephens Street and striking a vacant mobile home Thursday afternoon. The impact knocked the home off the foundation as it shifted more than two feet. Williams was ticketed for no driver’s license and no insurance.
WATER VALLEY – A Water Valley woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance after an officer discovered alleged methamphetamine in her possession on July 17.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Angela Dorris, 41, was arrested underneath the bride on South Main Street adjacent to Crawford Sports Complex. He added an officer observed a white Volvo vehicle parked on the side of the road near the bridge and decided to check under the bridge.
“We have received complaints about people going under the bridge and leaving trash,” Mangrum explained. “There are couches and a mattress, a whole setup and people hang out there.”
The chief added that the officer initially spotted drug paraphernalia after encountering Dorris under the bridge and launched a drug investigation. A small bag of alleged methamphetamine was discovered on the mattress beside Dorris.
“This was good patrolling by the officer, we try to keep a watch under that bridge. We have also received reports of homeless people staying there. It has been on our radar for a while,” Mangrum said.
In an unrelated investigation, the chief reported that Jerry Patterson, 40, of Water Valley was arrested for grand larceny and malicious mischief on July 11. Officers launched an investigation a day earlier after receiving a report from workers with the city’s street department and electric department about a power pole that had been cut on the back side of the abandoned poultry plant on Lafayette Street.
“Officers determined that the utility pole had been cut and an estimated 700 feet of copper was stolen valued at almost $30,000,” Mangrum said.
The high voltage line was not energized. The chief said the line is solid copper and about the size of a quarter.
Mangrum credited assistance from the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department in helping track down Patterson for the arrest. The investigation led to multiple locations that purchase scrap metal and officers were able to get two photos of copper the suspect had allegedly sold.
“Officers went to his resident to interview him about the source of the copper he had sold. They found components connected to the power line theft near a burn pit in his yard,” Mangrum continued.
Officers initially encountered the suspect during a traffic stop. He volunteered to come to the police department for an interview and was subsequently charged. He is currently housed in the Yalobusha County Detention Center with a $55,000 bond.
Mangrum said the chicken plant is located in a remote area in the city and it is likely the theft occurred over weeks or months.
“It was detected after city workers discovered the power pole had been cut,” he explained.
The case remains under investigation.
