Marion County Sheriff's Office Investigators Michael Stevens, left, and Jamie Singley stand by some of the stolen property that was recovered.

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has charged four local residents in connection with three recent burglaries.

George Edward McCraw, 27; Alvin David McCraw, 24; Jimmy McCraw, 26; and James Engelhardt, 20; are suspected in connection with two residential burglaries and one commercial burglary. Stolen items included an air conditioner, push lawnmower, battery charger, Shop Vac, tools, toolboxes, air compressor, air tank, two long guns, a pistol, knives and swords.

One of the residential burglaries occurred July 19 in the area of Rayburn Road, and the other house burglary happened on Hutson Morris Road about a month ago. The commercial burglary was to a shed on Lillis Road around July 3 or 4.

George McCraw and Engelhardt were arrested July 20, and Alvin and Jimmy McCraw were arrested Thursday after turning themselves into the Sheriff’s Office. All four suspects were already out on felony bonds; Alvin and Jimmy McCraw for burglary and George McCraw and Engelhardt for grand larceny, according to Sheriff’s Office Investigator Michael Stevens.

Investigator Jamie Singley said the case is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information should call him or Stevens at the Sheriff’s Office, (601) 736-5051.

Columbia Detective Chris Brumfield

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

A 41-year-old Columbia woman was a victim of a strong-arm robbery on Sunday afternoon, and police are looking for three suspects, according to Detective Chris Brumfield.

Brumfield said the victim had borrowed a vehicle from her former boyfriend. As the victim was driving on East Avenue another vehicle had blocked the roadway, and she got out to see what the problem was. At that point, three black females allegedly began assaulting her by kicking her and punching while she was on the ground, Brumfield said.

One of the suspects took possession of the vehicle and it has been determined that the vehicle was registered to one of the suspects. The suspects also allegedly took $1,000 out of the victim’s purse, Brumfield said.

No arrests have been made as police are seeking the three suspects, Lakeisha Thomas, Linda Thomas and Carrie McGowan, all of Columbia. They are being sought on strong-arm robbery charges, Brumfield said.

64-year-old man victim of Columbia stabbing incident

A 47-year-old Columbia man was arrested by police on a charge of aggravated assault for allegedly stabbing a 64-year-old man Friday afternoon.

Tommy Lee Collins was arrested shortly after the alleged incident that occurred at the Handy Man Garage at the corner of Owens Street and Martin Luther King Drive, said Detective Chris Brumfield. Collins allegedly took off on foot after the attack but was arrested shortly after on South Main Street.

The victim had been stabbed in the upper right chest area and was transported to Marion General Hospital. Brumfield said Collins was already on probation, but it is unclear what for.

An estimated $9,500 worth of tobacco was stolen from Smokey's on Highway 13 North in Columbia this morning, according to the store manager.

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

An estimated $9,500 worth of cigarettes and cigars were stolen in a burglary at Smokey’s Discount Tobacco on Highway 13 South in Columbia early this morning, according to the store manager.

Manager Andrea Thomas said the store’s alarm sounded at around 4:09 a.m. this morning and that the bottom of the glass front door had been broken out with a block.

Surveillance footage from the store shows to black males filling up garbage cans with Winstons, Newports, Salems, and Swisher Sweets, said Thomas. A change box containing $450 was also stolen, she said.

One of the suspects was wearing a mask, blue jeans with a long chain and a decal. He was also wearing Nike shows that were white on the bottom and black on top and a Yankees hat, Thomas said. The suspect without the mask was wearing a blue shirt, dark blue jeans, beanie hat with an emblem on the side and white tennis shoes, Thomas said. The man’s face was blurry on the surveillance video, she said.

There is a sign set up outside the store asking for help in finding the burglars.

A sign seeking help finding the burglars is displayed at the entrance to Smokey's.

Roland J. Bourgeois Jr.

From the U.S. Department of Justice:

Columbia resident Roland J. Bourgeois Jr., 47, was charged Thursday in a five-count indictment with conspiring to commit a hate crime, committing a hate crime with a deadly weapon and with intent to kill, making false statements and obstructing of justice in connection with a shooting that happened in the days after Hurricane Katrina.

Thursday’s indictment was announced by Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Jim Letten; and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office David Welker.

According to the indictment, on Sept. 1, 2005, Roland Bourgeois Jr. fired a shotgun at three African-American men because of their race and because they were attempting to use the public streets in the Algiers Point neighborhood of New Orleans. These African-American men were wounded as they sought to evacuate from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The indictment alleges that, after Hurricane Katrina, Bourgeois discussed shooting African-Americans and defending Algiers Point from outsiders, including African-Americans who did not live in the neighborhood. After Bourgeois fired a shotgun at the three men walking on a public street, he learned that one of his victims had been wounded and he announced that he was going to kill African-Americans. Bourgeois then allegedly warned an African-American resident of Algiers Point that, “anything coming up this street darker than a brown paper bag is getting shot.” Immediately following the shooting, Bourgeois retrieved from the scene – and subsequently displayed – a bloody baseball cap that belonged to one of the victims.

The indictment further alleges that Bourgeois later provided a false statement to federal agents investigating the Sept. 1, 2005, shooting in Algiers Point. Bourgeois is also charged with corruptly persuading an eyewitness to lie to the FBI. Finally, Bourgeois is charged with using a firearm in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy and civil rights offenses.

Bourgeois faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

This case, which is ongoing, is being investigated by the New Orleans Field Office of the FBI, and is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Forrest Christian and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana W. Scott Laragy.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

A Marion County man is charged with burglary for allegedly breaking into a residence at 127 Dunaway Road on July 1 and stealing a gold band with diamonds, a wedding band, and eight gallons of gasoline.

The homeowner told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that entry was made through the back bedroom window. The owner said his nephew, Michael Rymarowicz of Foxworth, was one of his former employees and had a drug problem, the affidavit states.

Last Friday, Rymarowicz, 20, confessed to the Sheriff’s Office that he broke into the residence and stole the two rings and gasoline out of a lawnmower, according to the affidavit. Rymarowicz told the Sheriff’s Office said he lost the rings, the affidavit states.

Christopher Aguero

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

A Monday high speed chase between law enforcement and an alleged Wal-Mart shoplifter ended when the suspect crashed his vehicle into a light pole and ran into the woods where he was apprehended.

The suspect, Christopher Aguero of Foxworth, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and felony evasion in relation to the incident. According to Detective Al Preston, Aguero struck Columbia police officer Lynn Phillips in the mouth with his elbow as she was trying to take him into custody at Wal-Mart for shoplifting.

After Aguero, 19, hit officer Phillips, he ran into the Wal-Mart parking lot, got in his vehicle and drove away on Highway 98. Aguero was traveling at a high rate of speed, ran a red light and was running other motorists off the road in the incident that occurred around 7 p.m. said Preston. The chase, which included police and the Sheriff’s Office, continued onto New Hope Road in Foxworth where Aguero was allegedly still running vehicles off the road.

Aguero lost control of his vehicle and collided with a light pole, and his vehicle rolled three times, Preston said. Aguero, who was not injured, bailed out of the vehicle and ran into the woods where he was apprehended shortly after. Officer Phillips was taken to Marion General Hospital for her injury where she was treated and released, said Preston.

Columbia Police Detective Chris Brumfield

Columbia Police arrested a 44-year-old Columbia man today on a charge of burglary for allegedly breaking into T&S Liquor on South High School Avenue and stealing a lock box containing $3,000.

Columbia Police Detective Chris Brumfield told the Marion County Informer that the suspect, Scott Eric Scharper, was arrested at his apartment, which is next to the liquor store. The money and lock box had still not been located, Brumfield added.

Entry into the liquor store was apparently made through an adjacent building connected to the liquor store. Access to the liquor store was then made through the attic.

Two bottles of alcohol that were also stolen in the burglary have been recovered. The burglary occurred between 10:30 p.m. Thursday and 7:45 a.m. this morning. Brumfield said Scharper is an ex-employee of the store who was fired last week.

Dwight L. Lott Jr.

A 60-year-old Marion County man was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for molestation.

The suspect, Dwight L. Lott Jr., 435 Highway 43 South, lot No. 100, “for the purpose of gratifying his lust, or indulging his depraved licentious sexual desires” touched a 13-year-old girl, the affidavit alleges.

The alleged incident happened in Marion County on June 5, and Lott is being held in Marion County Jail without bond.

Evan Lampton who is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly shooting Chris Fountain on July 5 exits Marion County Jail this morning after posting bond.

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

The Marion County man accused in the June 5 shooting of a Columbia resident turned himself in to police Friday morning, according to Detective Chris Brumfield.

The suspect, Evan Lampton, is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly shooting Chris Fountain, 36, twice at an Owens Street residence.

Lampton, 23, posted $30,000 bond immediately and was released from Marion County Jail. As he was leaving the jail after posting bond, the Marion County Informer asked Lampton if he shot Fountain, but he would not comment.

Brumfield said Lampton has not confessed to the crime or denied it. “I mirandized him, and he chose not to answer any questions without a lawyer present,” said Brumfield.

According to Brumfield, Lampton’s attorney is Ivan Burghard of Brookhaven. Burghard was not immediately available for comment.

Fountain was shot twice, but five shots were fired, Brumfield has said. Fountain was visiting a friend’s house at 704 Owens St. when the shooting occurred, Brumfield has said. Lampton allegedly showed up in a vehicle with a few other people and fired shots at Fountain with a .380 caliber handgun, according to Brumfield.

After the shooting, Fountain was airlifted to a hospital in Hattiesburg and was released a couple of days later.

Three window unit air conditioners and a 19-inch TV were stolen in a burglary that was reported to Columbia Police this morning, according to Detective Al Preston.

The homeowner was not at the 1007 N. Main St. residence when the burglary happened. The door to the residence was apparently unlocked as there was no sign of forced entry.

Willie Ray Medious

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

A Columbia man whose body was found in a lake near the Pearl River on Saturday was a strong swimmer who spent his life on the river, family members told the Marion County Informer this morning.

Family members of Willie Ray Medious were shocked that he would drown. His mother, Mary Benson, does not know what may have caused him to drown. Medious’ brother, Shawn Benson, said Willie saved a man’s life on the river once.

Mary Benson said she is waiting to receive the autopsy report to get a better understanding of what may have caused the drowning. Medious’ body was found in a lake just off the Pearl River by a fisherman.

She said Columbia Police Detective Al Preston told her that Medious’ pants pocket was pulled out and that there was no billfold on him. Shawn Medious said his brother normally carried two wallets. 

Columbia Police said that the coroner does not suspect foul play in the drowning. After the body turned up on Saturday, some people started spreading rumors

Willie Ray Medious' mother, Mary Benson, wonders what may have caused her son to drown.

that he had been shot and stabbed, Mary said, but the detective told her that was untrue.

Shawn said he does not know if his brother had a heart attack or stroke and fell in the water. Mary Benson hopes she gets more answers, saying, “I just don’t know what to feel. I’m in a puzzle. I’m just trusting God and dealing with it the best I can.”

While Mary spoke with the Informer, friends from her church stopped in to give her food and share their condolences. Mary said the last time she saw her son was June 21 when he paid a visit to her Columbia apartment.

Willie Medious, 58, had two children, said his ex-wife Wanda. Willie would often go down to the Pearl River to fish, and could swim across the river, Wanda said.

The body of  a man who was found in a lake near the Pearl River on Saturday has been identified.

The Columbia Police Department issued a press release this morning identifying the victim as 58-year-old Willie Ray Medious of Columbia, and his death has been ruled a drowning by the coroner.

Columbia Police said the coroner does not suspect foul play.

Medious’ body had been sent to the state Crime Lab to be identified. A fisherman found the corpse in an area behind Wolfe Lumber Yard.

A Columbia man allegedly led police on a high-speed vehicle pursuit through town early Saturday morning.

Naji Cain, 25, was approaching a Columbia Police roadblock at the intersection of R.A. Johnson Road and Eagle Day Drive when he slowed down but then “took off,” said Columbia Police Detective Al Preston.

Preston said Cain was running stop signs as he fled officers at a high-rate of speed on Pearl Street, Wade Avenue, Broad Street, West Avenue and Dale Street. King got out of his vehicle, a Nissan Altima, on Dale Street and fled on foot before being apprehended shortly afterwards.

Cain was charged with felony fleeing of a law enforcement officer and failure to yield to blue lights.

Lighthouse Church, 419 Pearl St., Columbia, was burglarized sometime between Saturday and early Sunday, according to Columbia Police Chief Jim Kinslow.

Kinslow said a window in the back of the church was broken to gain entry. The church van and some pocket change were stolen. The van was found abandoned just down the road from the church Sunday night without any damage, said Kinslow.

The burglary was discovered Sunday morning when people began showing up for church.

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

A male corpse that was discovered near the Pearl River in Columbia on Saturday has been sent to the state Crime Lab in Jackson in hopes of identifying the body.

Columbia Police Chief Jim Kinslow told the Marion County Informer this morning that officials hope to hear back from the Crime Lab today.

The race of the body is unclear due to the fact that it had been in the water for so long, said Kinslow.

The adult corpse was discovered by a fisherman Saturday, Kinslow said. The body was in a lake just off the Pearl River in an area behind Wolfe Lumber Yard.

Kinslow said it is unclear what the cause of death is, saying, “It’s an open case.”