Shopping Spree Leads To Arrest
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WATER VALLEY – A local woman was charged with false pretenses after allegedly going on a shopping spree with a credit card that was reported lost in Oxford. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Sherry Monroe, age 51, of Water Valley was arrested on March 27 following an investigation that was launched after Lafayette County investigators reached out to report the fraudulent charges.
The chief reported that the card was lost on March 24, and it was used to make five purchases in Water Valley totaling $681.50 shortly afterwards. The transactions included a purchase at Dollar General, cigarettes at Gas Buddy on South Main, another cigarette purchase at Rascals on Central Street for $155, gas at Express Mart on the bypass and $102 for pizza at Hometown Pizza including a $50 tip.
“We are thankful for the assistance from the stores and merchants involved with the camera footage, our business owners are always helpful in cases like this,” Chief Mangrum told the Herald.
Monroe gave a statement to investigating officers admitting that she had used the credit card to make the purchases. She also said she found the card. Monroe was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center and released on bond.
Other activity reported by the chief:
• Monica Norwood, 37, of Water Valley was arrested for defrauding an innkeeper after not paying for pizza she ordered. Mangrum reported the misdemeanor charge was originally written for people who ducked out on their hotel tab, but has been amended over the years to include a broader range of crimes.
The chief said Norwood allegedly ordered a cheese pizza, cheese sticks and a large salad totaling $45.48 and had it delivered to her residence. When the delivery drive showed up, Norwood said she had paid for the food over the phone when the order was placed. Employees from the restaurant went back to the house later after the delivery driver returned without the payment.
“They knocked on the door, but there was no answer,” the chief said about the return trip. “Apparently this is not the first time this individual has done this.”
A warrant was issued and Norwood was arrested on March 24.
“She had a receipt showing she went to the restaurant the day before she was arrested and paid the outstanding amount, apparently she heard the warrant had been issued,” Mangrum added. “But once the warrant had been filed, we can’t cancel it because payment had been made. The receipt will be presented to the judge for consideration.”
• A 17 year-old juvenile was cited for DUI on March 30. Mangrum reported the officer stopped the vehicle for speeding and detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage. A DUI investigation was launched and the teen was cited.
“The juvenile was released to a guardian, which is protocol,” the chief added. “There were three other juveniles in the vehicle.
• Jason Evans of Abbeville was arrested for kidnapping on March 24 after allegedly forcing the mother of his child to leave in a vehicle with him. Mangrum reported the incident started as a domestic argument at the Valley Motel on South Main.
“In the course of that argument, Evans allegedly took her phone and car keys and made her get in the vehicle with him,” the chief explained.
Evans drove to Calhoun City, then to Oxford and north to Memphis.
“Apparently he had the bright idea they were going to Las Vegas to get married, but she informed him she did not have her driver’s license so they could not get married,” Mangrum said.
The victim was brought back to Water Valley and reported that she had been held against her will.
“Our investigating officers did a solid job piecing together details that led to this arrest,” the chief said.
• The chief reported off-duty officers worked Sunday to assist during an usually busy afternoon. The activity started at 2:02 p.m. when a motorist ran off Central Street, striking a guy wire attached to a utility pole. The impact shook the electric line and caused an electric outage in portions of the city that lasted almost three hours.
Mangrum said the power surge caused a breaker panel to heat up inside a nearby house, almost starting a fire.
“Fortunately the power outage followed the surge and the power to the house was off keeping it from igniting,” Mangrum said.
Water Valley firefighters also responded as workers with the electric department restored power.
Another crash was reported at 5:19 p.m. at the intersection of Wise Street and Hwy. 315 just after the shift change at the police department.
“A three-quarter truck pulling a trailer ran the stop sign and struck another vehicle,” the chief explained.
The truck rolled multiple times, and the chief said both vehicles sustained extensive damage.
Two people in the truck and one person in the second vehicle were treated at the scene and refused transport to the hospital.
“It was a little hectic managing both accidents and the aftermath,” Mangrum said.
