Teen Charged With Armed Robbery
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Chief Jason Mangrum searches the vehicle as Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch and other officers assist during a felony traffic stop on Railroad Street Monday afternoon.
WATER VALLEY — A teenager was arrested Monday afternoon on Railroad Street following a traffic stop. The suspect, identified as Torey O’Neal Sims, had been wanted since Sunday evening after an online sale meet-up turned into an armed robbery.
Mangrum reported the robbery occurred on Nov. 16 around 5:30 p.m. The victim, an 18-year-old male, had arranged to sell tires and rims and originally planned to meet at the fireworks stand on Central Street. Sims later changed the meeting location to the mini-storage units near the old police station on Wise Street.
Mangrum said the suspect approached the victim on foot. As the victim stepped out of his truck, the suspect spotted a Glock pistol inside the cab. Sims then allegedly pulled his pistol, pointed it at the victim and the victim’s girlfriend, and demanded the handgun.
“Give up your Glock or get blown down,” Sims told the victim, according to the police report.
The victim surrendered his pistol, and Sims fled on foot.
Police were able to identify Sims and searched for him throughout the night. They reviewed multiple security cameras in the area and followed tips.
On Monday, officers received information that Sims was in the city and the search continued. Multiple officers were canvassing the city when Mangrum was driving on Blackmur Drive and spotted Sims inside a vehicle.
“We locked eyes,” Mangrum said, adding that Sims appeared to recognize him at the same moment. The female driving the vehicle sped off, but Mangrum radioed for backup. Within a minute, Mangrum executed a felony stop on Railroad Street as multiple officers and Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch boxed in the vehicle.
Mangrum said the vehicle briefly stopped as he turned around before the traffic stop, allowing two other passengers to exit the vehicle before the stop. The chief believes those two may be connected to a separate crime under investigation. Sims remained in the vehicle and may have believed officers had not connected him to the armed robbery .
Sims, 16, of Water Valley is charged as an adult with Armed Robbery, and additional charges are possible. He was booked into the Yalobusha County Jail and bond was set at $150,000. Police are still searching for additional suspects, and the stolen Glock has not been recovered.
Mangrum urges residents to use caution when conducting online sales, advising people to meet in a well-lit, public place and to avoid locations that feel secluded or unsafe.
Other activity reported by the chief:
• Officers arrested Candice Sims, formerly of Courtland and living in Water Valley, after observing her vehicle on Main Street near Sprint Mart on Nov. 5. She was taken into custody on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant and later transferred to the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department.
•Officers responded to the New Dollar General for a shoplifting complaint involving Lisa Hano, 57, originally from Louisiana and currently staying in Water Valley on Nov. 9. An employee reported seeing her place items — a pair of gloves and a roll of duct tape — in her purse. Hano admitted taking the items and said she was willing to pay for them. She was taken into custody for shoplifting.
