Police Report Calm Night At Homecoming
WATER VALLEY – Homecoming weekend at Water Valley High School brought big crowds but few problems for Water Valley police, though officers logged a handful of arrests in surrounding days ranging from traffic stops to domestic calls. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported tailgaters and fans were on their best behavior during Friday night’s homecoming festivities, with the only reported incident a minor hit-and-run in the stadium parking lot.
Mangrum reported two DUI arrests during the weekend. On Sept. 27, officers arrested Devontae Rucker, 33, of Atlanta, Ga., on Goode Street in the North Court area. An officer patrolling the street around 2:05 a.m. noticed an SUV stopped in the roadway with its lights on. The driver appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. After repeated knocks, Rucker lowered the window, and the officer detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage. When asked for his driver’s license, Rucker allegedly handed the officer a cup containing alcohol. A DUI investigation followed, and Rucker was determined to be over the legal limit. Officers also reported finding multiple containers of alcohol and suspected marijuana in the vehicle. He was charged with DUI (first offense), possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, and obstructing a public street.
On Sept. 26 at 10:55 p.m., Spencer Allen, 18, of Coffeeville, was arrested for DUI, possession of alcohol by a minor, and careless driving. An officer on patrol near Main Street and Blackmur Drive observed Allen’s vehicle cross the center line, nearly causing a collision near Blount Street. After a traffic stop, the officer detected the smell of alcohol. Allen first denied drinking, then admitted he had. He was taken into custody under the city’s zero-tolerance policy.
On Sept. 24, officers responded to a disturbance call on Martin Street. After investigating, they arrested Tylntrz Gooch, 35, of Water Valley, for allegedly assaulting his child’s mother. Gooch was charged with domestic simple assault, second offense, and booked into the Yalobusha County Detention Center. Records indicated a prior conviction for the same offense in Kansas City.
On Sept. 23, officers stopped a vehicle driven by Justin Green, 20, of Water Valley, a few minutes after 6 a.m. for driving without taillights on Main Street. During the stop, officers reported smelling marijuana and searched the vehicle, recovering a glass pipe containing methamphetamine. Green was charged with possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle. He was booked into the county jail and later posted bond.
