Rash of car robberies across three Northern Mississippi counties prompts joint investigation

WEBSTER COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A string of car robberies over the past week spanning three different counties in Northern Mississippi has prompted a joint investigation by five different law enforcement agencies.

Webster County Sheriff David Gore says the first incident happened the night of November 27 in a neighborhood on Bland Road. Gore says three others followed including two in the city of Mathiston.

“Guns were stolen, credit cards, different items of value were stolen,” he says.

The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office says they have had between seven and eight vehicle burglaries during the past week. Ackerman Police reported similar robberies on Monday and Thursday.

“I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that all are connected but we do know enough of them that are connected,” Gore says.

Those connections prompted the joint investigation between the sheriff’s departments of Webster, Oktibbeha and Choctaw counties as well as the Ackerman and Mathiston Police departments.

“Pretty much all vehicle burglaries were in front of a residential dwelling,” Gore says. “Immediately, that being said, that got all of us to thinking and looking for certain things.”

Gore says thieves stole 12-15 guns in Webster County, along with credit cards, tools and other valuables. The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office says thieves there have taken guns and cash. Ackerman Police say suspects have simply been checking for open doors late at night.

“We have one suspect that we are looking for,” Gore says. “We have other suspects [in custody] who we have talked with and we are forming a case on this.”

As the investigation continues, the message to the public is simple.

“Please, keep your vehicles locked,” Gore says.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Department says they could be releasing more information on the investigation next week.