Getaway Plans Go Wrong In The Valley
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Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum’s patrol vehicle was damaged Tuesday morning after a shoplifting suspect backed into it while attempting to leave the Dollar General parking lot on South Main Street.
WATER VALLEY — Two recent shoplifting cases, one involving a suspect backing into a police cruiser and another tied to a repeat offender, led to multiple arrests in Water Valley, according to Police Chief Jason Mangrum.
The most recent incident occurred Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, at Dollar General on South Main Street. The call came in at 10:43 a.m. after store employees reported a man concealing merchandise inside his clothing.
“She was able to get a really good clothing description and a good description of the person,” Mangrum said. “As I was responding, I spotted him exiting the store and getting into a vehicle.”
As Mangrum arrived and pulled in behind the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot with blue lights activated, the man put the car in reverse — backing directly into the front of the police cruiser.
“He never saw me,” Mangrum said. “He was watching the employees, who were standing at the front door watching him, instead of looking to see what was behind him. And his window tint was too dark.”
The minor collision damaged plastic on the front of the chief’s police truck. The suspect, identified as Luster Pomlee, 59, of Water Valley, admitted to stealing several packs of T-shirts. Mangrum said that during a pat-down in connection with the arrest, officers also discovered four boxes of Mucinex concealed in Pomlee’s pants.
Pomlee was arrested and booked into the Yalobusha County Detention Center on charges of shoplifting, driving without a license and no liability insurance. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.
Mangrum said Pomlee had borrowed the vehicle, telling the owner he was sick and needed to see a doctor.
“Needless to say, the owner of the vehicle was not happy with the situation either,” Mangrum said. “Pomlee has a lengthy criminal history.”
A second shoplifting case dates back to an initial report filed Dec. 20 at a local grocery store. Mangrum said a citizen contacted police after noticing suspicious activity involving a man walking down Wood Street carrying a box. The caller, who was familiar with the suspect, asked to see the contents.
“There were multiple packs of steaks, chicken, pork chops and cookies,” Mangrum said. “The stolen items were valued at almost $600.”
Evidence recovered during a shoplifting incident last month included multiple packs of steaks, cookies and pork chops.
Surveillance footage later showed the suspect concealing the meat inside his clothing while shopping, then retrieving an empty meat box from a trash area outside the store, transferring the stolen items into it and walking away.
Based on the value of the merchandise, an arrest warrant was issued for Bernard White, 53, of Water Valley, for felony shoplifting.
Three days later, White was spotted inside Dollar General on Central Street. Mangrum said officers took precautionary steps because White is known to flee on foot.
“We have chased him multiple times in the past,” Mangrum said. “I stood at the front door until another officer arrived.”
Mangrum and another officer hemmed White up inside the store before he had a chance to make a quick getaway.
“He told us he was fixing to steal again,” Mangrum said.
White was later turned over to Lafayette County authorities to face felony shoplifting charges in the neighboring county as well.
Mangrum said both cases underscore the importance of alert citizens and cooperation from local businesses.
“The surveillance video at the grocery store was very helpful for this investigation,” Mangrum told the Herald. “White was able to take advantage of an extremely busy store just before the Christmas holiday. We likely would not have caught him if the concerned citizen had not called us.”
Other activity reported by the chief:
• Mangrum said the New Year’s holiday was relatively quiet, with the only notable incident involving a vehicle damaged by fireworks. Officers also responded to several fireworks-related complaints.
• Mangrum said Tuesday night’s basketball game at the high school gym was likely the most well-attended game of the season as the Blue Devils hosted Coffeeville in a county rivalry.
“This was a hard-fought basketball game that was very incident-free, and the fans on both sides were very cordial,” Mangrum said. “The crowd probably wasn’t as large as last year’s big rivalry game, but it will likely be the biggest this season.”
• Police are continuing an active embezzlement investigation involving a local liquor store and an adjacent gas station. Mangrum said the case came to light after the store owner discovered liquor boxes in the trash that still contained full bottles inside. After reviewing surveillance footage, the owner determined a part-time employee was likely taking the “trash” out while stealing liquor.
Mangrum said video evidence indicates the employee may have been stealing liquor and beer over a period of time. Investigators are still gathering evidence and working to determine the total value of the stolen merchandise. Theft amounts can be aggregated, with $1,000 serving as the threshold between misdemeanor and felony charges.
• Prashay Gray, 26, of Water Valley, was arrested for malicious mischief after police determined she threw a large rock through the windshield of a vehicle belonging to T.L. Gooch. Mangrum said Gray admitted to breaking the windshield.
