MISSISSIPPI COMPUTERS STOLEN CONNECTED TO JONES CO.Leader Call - Thefts connected to Jones Co.

Thefts connected to Jones Co.


By Steve Sanders/countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com

Several firearms and a laptop stolen from a south Jones County residence were recovered following the Tuesday arrests of three Forrest County residents. Many items are yet to be recovered and more arrests are possible, said an investigator with the Petal Police Department.

The thefts occurred in Jones, Forrest, Covington and Lamar counties, and possibly more. “These arrests will solve a lot of cases for a lot of agencies,” said Sgt. Gavin Guy. “There are approximately 30 guns and more laptops not accounted for.”

Among the recovered items are a pistol, a rifle and a laptop computer, all stolen from a residence between Moselle and Eastabutchie, Guy said. He said the owners of the residence are still missing other firearms. Guy estimated that between $30,000-$40,000 worth ofstolen merchandise has been recovered so far in all of the burglaries.

Guy said he was in a Petal business Tuesday when Christopher Wright, 20, of Forrest County, entered and tried to sell the owner three laptop computers . He was taken into custody after he left the store and, after questioning by Petal and Hattiesburg police, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property. Guy said Wright told authorities the three laptops were stolen but that he did not know from where. He was later released on a $2,500 bond. The three laptops Wright had in his possession were stolen from Jones, Lamar and Covington counties.

Also under arrest are Wright’s mother, Rebecca Wright, 39, and James Sloan, 29, both of Forrest County. They are being held in Lamar County on one charge each of residential burglary. Guy said Hattiesburg police have a hold on both, and that they face possible charges in three to four more counties.

Other items initially recovered included two four-wheelers, digital cameras and jewelry.