Eight suspects arrested in four cases

Local News

July 4, 2009

By Jeremy Pittari Picayune Item Sat Jul 04, 2009, 05:50 PM CDT

PICAYUNE — A set of four busts brought about the arrest of eight suspects.

The cases ranged from car wash burglaries to drug violations.

The first case took place on June 30, when Picayune Police Department investigators arrested Arthur J. Simmons, 52, of 112 Luther Ladner Rd., said Investigator Blaine Heath. Simmons was charged with two counts of commercial burglary for his alleged part in the burglaries of the Westside and P.C.’s car washes.

Simmons allegedly broke into the Westside car wash on June 25, stealing a large amount of quarters and other property, Heath said. P.C.’s carwash was broken into on June 28, where Simmons is alleged to have hooked his truck to the bar door, yanking it from the frame. Heath said again a large amount of quarters was taken from the business. Simmons is also alleged to have taken the surveillance camera from the outside of the building.

Heath said the two burglaries were reported to have taken place during the day in the morning hours.

Using surveillance footage taken from the scene the investigators were able to identify Simmons as a suspect. On June 30, investigators located Simmons in the area of Memorial Boulevard and arrested him, charging him with the two counts of commercial burglary and possession of burglary tools, Heath said.

Simmons is also a possible suspect for a number of other similar burglaries in Hancock County, St. Tammany Parish and Pearl River, La.

On June 30, narcotics investigators charged four suspects with possession of precursor chemicals in two separate incidents, according to a press release from the department.

Investigators used a tip concerning two suspects allegedly obtaining precursor chemicals. The suspects were identified as Brandi Paine, 25, of 6083 Daughtrey Rd., Long Beach and 24 year-old Britney Whitfield of 177 Koch Rd.

The investigators conducted a traffic stop on the two girls and found a number of precursor chemicals in the vehicle, the release states. Those chemicals included Sudafed, camp fuel and lye. Both suspects were charged with possession of precursor chemicals and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The release states that Whitfield was out on a $100,000 bond for multiple counts of fraudulent acquisition of a controlled substance and prescription forgery. She is now being held on an additional $95,000 bond.

Paine has been released on a $35,000 bond.

That same day investigators got another tip concerning suspects allegedly obtaining precursor chemicals. The release states that a traffic stop was conducted on the suspect vehicle where investigators found salt, lithium batteries and petroleum products. In the car was James Dillon, 28, and Ashley Ensminger, 27, both of 161 Tripp Lane, Carriere. Both suspects were charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of precursor chemicals.

Wednesday officers responded to a tip that suspects were engaged in possible drug related activity in the area of Bolar Street. The release states that the investigators conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and found Terrell Gibson, 22, of 614 Bolar St. and Brandon Nixon, 22, of 2320 Cousin St. Marijuana was found in the vehicle so the two suspects were taken into custody for possession of marijuana. A warrant was secured to search the home of Gibson and inside the investigators found a large amount of individually packaged marijuana, scales and other items described to be used in the distribution of the drug.

Another resident of the home, Charlethia Tyner, 30, of 614 Bolar St., was also arrested. All three suspects were charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.

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