POPLARVILLE — Several cases are still under investigation by the Poplarville Police and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Departments. Pearl River County’s Crime Stoppers is asking for the community’s help in locating suspects for each of these crimes.
Poplarville Police Department investigators are working a case that took place on April 2. On that date at about 11 a.m. a black male entered Apple’s Clothing store in Poplarville. While inside the store he made his way to the back office and stole approximately $1,300 in cash from the Relay for Life donations. The suspect was caught on camera. On Nov. 3, at about 11:30 a.m. the same suspect returned to Apple’s and again made his way to the back office. This time he was seen by employees and was unsuccessful in stealing anything.
The suspect is believed to be from the Laurel area as witnesses have said he frequently sells Krispy Kreme donuts door to door at local businesses. Witnesses say the suspect claims to be selling the donuts to raise money for a church in the Laurel area.
Investigators with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department are also seeking the community’s help to identify suspects in four cases.
The first case took place sometime between Nov. 31 and Dec. 1, at the Bethel Baptist Church on Miss. 43 North. Sometime between those dates the church was burglarized of cash and gift cards totaling about $177 from the office safe.
The second case the department is investigating took place sometime between Nov. 1, and 2, at the Steep Hollow Baptist Church. Sometime between those dates the church was burglarized and about $500 in cash stolen from a safe in the office.
A third case, also involving a church, took place on Nov. 2. where the church van at the First Baptist Church of Carriere on Smith Street was vandalized. A suspect or suspects broke out the windows of the 1996 Dodge van. The department has no suspects or witnesses at this time.
The final case the department is working occurred on Nov. 30, at about 1 a.m. At that time the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a citizen who reported someone in a pickup truck dumping something over a bridge on Glover Road in the White Sands Community.
A deputy responded to the bridge and discovered newspaper vending machines in the creek under the bridge. The deputy discovered that the newspaper machines were stolen the night of Nov. 29, from the D&R; Conoco in Poplarville.
Citizens with information on any of these cases can call crime stoppers at 601-799-CLUE (2583). Anyone providing information leading to the arrest of a suspect receives a $500 reward. The name of the person providing the information is not required for the reward.
