Sign, Mailbox Vandals Face Felony Charges

Vandals ran over this road sign and 13 others last week.

With the mailbox post laying flat on the ground, a resident on County Road 86 used a garbage can as a temporary post. The damage was reported last Thursday morning and deputies charged two Louisiana men in the case.

A deputy responded to the incident noticed that the tire tread was similar at each scene. – Photos by David Howell

By David Howell
Editor

COFFEEVILLE –  A late night mail box and road sign bashing spree last Wednesday night landed two Louisiana men in the Yalobusha County Jail.

Elijah Foster, 24, and Michael Canterberry, 20,  both of Downsville, La., have been charged by the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department with felony malicious mischief  for allegedly damaging at least 14 county road sings and 10 mailboxes.

The spree occurred on county roads 85, 86, 87, 92 and 212, according to Sheriff Lance Humphreys.

“We received numerous reports Thursday morning as people woke up and noticed their mailboxes had been run over,” Humphreys said.

Driving a jacked-up 2002 Jeep Cherokee 4×4, the two men allegedly rode down the signs and mailboxes, at times leaving the pavement and even crossing the road ditch to access the signs.

“Road crews from District 1 and 2 worked Thursday to replace the damaged signs,” Humphreys added. The estimated damage to the signs, including labor to replace them, is $1,400.

A deputy responded to the scene and noticed the tire tracks were similar at all of the incidents. The deputy was also able to recover a small piece of the vehicle’s bumper wedged in one of the signs.

“The tire print was made by a high quality offroad tire,” Humphreys explained.

The deputy then discovered a vehicle parked at a residence in the vicinity of the damage with a unique Mickey Thompson Baja offroad tire, and stopped to check it out, according to Humphreys.

“The piece of bumper  we recovered matched a hole in the bumper, just like a piece of a puzzle,” Humphreys said. The tires also matched the tire prints made where the signs and mailboxes were damaged and deputies were able to charge the two men.

“When the deputy pulled up, one of the men was actually outside washing the vehicle,” the sheriff reported. Humphreys said mailbox damage may be a federal offense.

“Postal officials told us that if the mailbox contained mail, it could be prosecuted federally,” Humphreys explained.

The accused driver, Canterberry, had an extensive arrest history in Louisiana, Humphreys told the Herald.

In other law enforcement news:

•Deputies took a report of a stolen vehicle. Humphreys said a Texas man allegedly took his girlfriend’s vehicle.

“The female reported he was taking her vehicle back to Texas,” Humphreys reported.

• Deputies responded to a report of simple assault on County Road 95 on June 30.

• Deputies responded to a child in need of supervisor on County Road 15 on June 27.

• Deputies took a report of a stolen vehicle on I-55, near Tillatoba. The report came after a female driver’s vehicle broke down on June 28. When she had a wrecker come to pick the vehicle up on June 30, the vehicle was gone.

“We have checked with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and they had not towed the vehicle,” Humphreys explained.

Deputies took a report of domestic violence on County Road 30 on June 23.

Deputies made an arrest for D.U.I, second offense, and no proof of insurance.

• Deputies provided traffic control at a house fire on County Road 330 on June 23.

• Deputies took a report of trespassing on County Road 100 on June 19.