Georgia Man Eludes Authorities
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Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum checks phone numbers gathered during a drug trafficking and felony pursuit investigation last Wednesday morning. Mangrum consults with Lafayette County sheriff’s deputies including Stephen Wood (second from right) during the multi-agency investigation.
WATER VALLEY – A wanted Georgia man remains on the lam after an intense multi-agency search in Yalobusha County that started during the early morning hours on August 9. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported a warrant for drug trafficking and felony fleeing has been issued for Marcus Head after nine pounds of alleged marijuana was seized. The chief also said Head is wanted for violating federal probation.
Mangrum said the incident started in the city at 3:32 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a shot or shots were fired in the vicinity of Buena Vista and Daniels Drive. A responding city police officer spotted the vehicle described by the caller, a rented black Jeep, within minutes and attempted a traffic stop. Head fled into the county on CR 224 and pulled behind a house and entered the woods on foot. He initially was carrying a large cardboard box containing alleged marijuana, but dropped it as he ran.
A female passenger was also in the vehicle and attempted to flee, but the officer took her into custody and recovered the discarded box. Mangrum said the passenger, Yanasha Childs of Marietta, Ga. was charged with drug trafficking.
“I believe the initial pursuing officer would have been able to apprehend Head, but he had to stop and deal with the passenger and drugs,” Mangrum said. “A second officer was only a minute away but that gave Head enough head start.”
A large manhunt was immediately launched and Mangrum praised the strong cooperation among assisting agencies including the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department, Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, Yalobusha County EMA, Lafayette County EMA and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The chief said Lafayette deputies had a K-9 on the scene at 3:52 a.m.
The K-9 started trailing the suspect in what turned out to be a long track through the woods.
“It was very hot and very hilly,” Mangrum said. “We were not successful on the first track.”
A second encounter followed after Head started knocking on doors on County Road 224, arousing suspicion in the early morning hours. A responding city officer arrived at the house and observed Head run into the woods again. Mangrum said the K-9 started on the second track but Head eluded authorities a second time.
“This was another long track and the heat wasn’t helping the K-9,” the chief explained.
The trail grew cold again until mid-morning when another caller reported a suspicious person at the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store on Duncan Street back in Water Valley.
“He ended up on the road and stopped someone, he was able to get a ride back to town,” Mangrum said.
Officers arrived at the store just over a minute from the call but again Head was able to stay a step ahead.
“We believe he had been able to find someone to pick him up shortly after he exited the store. The trail went cold after that, he likely is far from our area now,” Mangrum said.
While inside the store, Head was able to purchase clothes, a likely attempt to alter his appearance, and a new cell phone. Mangrum said the arrest warrant has been sent to U.S. Marshals and Head’s federal probation officer for assistance with his apprehension.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum checks phone numbers gathered during a drug trafficking and felony pursuit investigation last Wednesday morning. Mangrum consults with Lafayette County sheriff’s deputies including Stephen Wood (second from right) during the multi-agency investigation.
“He has a lengthy arrest history and it is my understanding that his probation terms included not leaving the State of Georgia,” the chief said.
Mangrum said it is likely that Head had transported drugs from Georgia to Water Valley to sell.
“It appears that the initial call stemmed from some type of altercation that involved drugs. We do not think that Head was a threat to the public during this incident. We were working hard to apprehend this suspect and curtail drug trafficking in the city. And I firmly believe he will be back in Water Valley, only the next time he will be in handcuffs to see a judge.”
Mangrum added that the strong cooperation among assisting agencies is a testament to the strong working relationships the agencies share.
“Drugs and crime is not centered on one jurisdiction or one area. Drug trafficking crosses city limits and county lines. I am proud of the strong relationship all of these agencies share with a common goal to keep drugs and criminals off our streets,” Mangrum said. “I would also like to extend my appreciation to our dispatchers, they worked hard to keep this multi-agency response organized.”
In other law enforcement news:
Mangrum reported Cecil “Tamp” Austin was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute on August 8.
The chief said the arrest came after an observant officer spotted Austin in the Dollar General store.
“He arrested Austin on a warrant for some unpaid fines and discovered a little over 20 grams of alleged methamphetamine in his pocket,” Mangrum said.
Austin had multiple prior convictions and was on probation at the time of his arrest. He remains in custody.
“This was a good arrest, the officer was at the right place at the right time and was observant,” Mangrum added.
Ironically, the officer had stopped in the store to make a quick purchase when he spotted Austin.
