Police Recover Stolen Vehicle, Investigate Multiple Auto Burglaries

WATER VALLEY – A vehicle stolen from Panola Street was recovered by the Water Valley Police Department shortly after the report was taken. Police Chief Tony Hernandez reported his department received the call around 8:30 a.m. and an officer spotted it an hour and a half later on Wood Street.

Two 14 year-old female juveniles were taken into custody following a traffic stop and the vehicle was returned to the owner with minor damage, according to the chief. The vehicle owner reported the vehicle had been stolen sometime during the night and the keys were left in it.

Hernandez also reported multiple auto burglaries during the last week. The incidents were reported on Vaiden Street on June 10 where checks were taken from a vehicle; on Calhoun Street on June 11 where an iPhone and Playstation were stolen; and on Blount Street on June 12 where a purse was taken. The iPhone was recovered.

Hernandez reminded everyone to take a few simple steps to avoid being a victim in auto burglaries. 

“Make sure you don’t leave your keys or valuable items in your vehicle and always lock the doors,” Hernandez reported. He also stressed the important of recording serial numbers of valuable items, as well as photographing your property.

“That information is invaluable to authorities when we are working to recover stolen items,” the chief noted.

Other law enforcement activity reported during the last week includes:

• Responded to a burglary at a mini storage on the south end of town on June 6. Hernandez said the case remains under investigation.

• Responded to a disturbance on Main Street. 

• Made an arrest for trespassing on Wagner Street on July 7.

• Took a report of forgery on June 7. Officers took the initial information and turned the case over to Oxford and Coffeeville where the alleged incidents occurred.

• Responded to a disturbance in Rolling Hills on June 7. 

• Investigated a burglary on Bergland Street on July 7. Hernandez reported the owner came home and discovered the house had been ransacked. Nothing has been reported missing in the case.

• Investigated the burglary of an unoccupied house on North Main Street where appliances were stolen. Hernandez said neighbors recalled seeing a truck parked in front of the house.

• Recovered a computer that was reported stolen on June 9. Authorities were able to locate the computer in Lafayette County after pinging it. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department made the recovery and Hernandez said a suspect has been identified.

• Arrested two people on drug charges near Crawford Sports Complex on June 11. Demarcus Pugh was charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle and Deriguez Rogers was charged with possession of marijuana.

• Arrested Noah Fondon for public drunk at Larson’s Piggly Wiggly on June 12.

• Wrote two traffic citations and made a total of nine arrests.