Update: Grant Johnson was arrested at a Pearl River County home Saturday morning after investigators recieved a tip concerning his whereabouts.

After deputies were called to the scene of one residential burglary, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department began investigating a string of other burglaries reported in the Caesar area Thursday.

Deputies were dispatched to the 20 block of Preacher Powell Road at 7 a.m. in reference to a residential burglary, Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said.

The homeowner told deputies her husband had just left the house when the family dog started acting strange, leading her to investigate the problem, Tucker said.

At the back of the home, the witness reported seeing a masked man wearing a camouflage shirt attempting to enter the home through the back door. She then ran to the door and pushed it closed, locking the deadbolt, Tucker said.
At that time, the suspect took off on foot. All available deputies and investigators searched for the suspect until 8 p.m., Tucker said.

While searching for the suspect, the department received numerous reports of other burglaries in the area.

One report came in from Robert Dossett Road, where two unlocked vehicles were reportedly burgled, Tucker said.

Nothing was stolen from the vehicles but items in the car were clearly moved around, he said.

In total, about five vehicle burglaries were reported in the Caesar community sometime after midnight Thursday, Tucker said, with nothing reported stolen.

Later that day at 11:15 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Mount Carmel Road where several firearms and a 4-wheeler were allegedly stolen from a home and outbuilding, Tucker said.

According to the property owner, the 4-wheeler was left in the outbuilding with the keys in the ignition, Tucker said.

That afternoon, investigators were able to create a list of possible suspects, Tucker said.

Due to a set of unique characteristics described by witnesses,

Grant Johnson, 25, of Davis Dawsey Road, became the lead suspect, Tucker said.

Johnson’s family lives in the area where the burglaries occurred and is believed to have a drug problem, Tucker said.

His father, Lawrence Johnson, 53, of 29 Johnny Johnson Road, Carriere, and Corey Hall, 26, were also suspects in the case and were later arrested, Tucker said.

Hall was arrested for accessory after the fact to burglary.

While speaking with deputies, Lawrence Johnson allegedly gave false information in regard to the case, Tucker said.

Deputies then arrested Lawrence Johnson for accessory before the fact and conspiracy to commit burglary. Both suspects await a bond hearing at the county jail.

On Friday, deputies recovered the stolen 4-wheeler hidden in a wooded area near Lawrence Johnson’s home, Tucker said.

After an extensive search for Grant Johnson, deputies have been unable to locate him and are asking for the public’s help.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department at 601-798-5528.

Warrants have been issued for his arrest for burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, Tucker said.

Grant Johnson is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached due to the stolen firearms. Tucker said he is also wanted for previous crimes ranging from vehicle burglaries to larceny.

The Department would also like to remind residents to keep their vehicles and homes locked and remove any valuables from vehicles, especially at night.