INFORMATION NEED: On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Hattiesburg Police Department issued a request for public assistance in identifying two individuals wanted in connection to an ongoing credit card fraud investigation. Security cameras showed the two individuals, a male and female, used a stolen credit card to purchase items at three Hattiesburg businesses on January 18, 2022. Anyone with information on the identities of the the individuals should contact the Hattiesburg Police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 601-582-STOP.
INFORMATION NEEDED: On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Hattiesburg Police Department issued a request for public assistance in obtaining information concerning an ongoing commercial burglary investigation at Sacred Heart School. According to reports, an individual(s) broke into the school storage building located on St. Claire Parkway sometime on either January 29 or January 30, 2022 and stole multiple pieces of sports equipment and athletic clothing. Anyone with information on the identities of the the individuals should contact the Hattiesburg Police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 601-582-STOP.
AWARENESS: Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims posted to Facebook on Feb. 1 to raise awareness for National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
“This is an issue that impacts everyone - not just teens - but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well,” writes Sims. “Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.”
Anyone experiencing teen dating violence should contact their local law enforcement or the 24-hr National Dating Abuse Helpline for free, confidential help: http://www.loveisrespect.org.
NOTICE: Forrest County volunteer fire departments received over 30 calls for service on this past weekend (Jan. 28-30). Sheriff Charlie Sims said in a Facebook post on Jan 31 that the calls were in relation to yard fires.
“While there is not an official burn ban in place, it is a dangerous time to burn with the low humidity and lack of rain,” writes Sims.
The sheriff’s office urged Forrest County residents to follow the advice of the Mississippi Forestry Commission and avoid any unnecessary fires at this time. For more information, visit https://www.mfc.ms.gov/.
ARRESTED: On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Petal native Ashlie Collier. Collier was wanted for felony child abuse after her 1-year-old son tested positive for methamphetamines. She went on the run with her child on January 12.
Investigators from the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshall’s Office located Collier in Jones County. Her son is reported to be safe and in protective custody.
“We are thankful that the child in question is safe and in good condition,” said Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims. “I would also like to thank Jones County Sheriff (Joe) Berlin and his department, along with the U.S. Marshall’s office for their assistance.”
Collier is booked into the Forrest County Jail and awaiting an initial court appearance.
NOTICE: The Hattiesburg Police Department has issued a public notice to inform the public of an ongoing phone scam. In the scam, the caller poses as a law enforcement officer, often using the alias Detective Mike Hoffer, and claims there is an active warrant for the individual on the phone. The caller then asks for payment in cash or by green-dot cards to clear the warrant.
Hattiesburg Police assure the public that law enforcement agencies will bot ask for any money or payments over the phone, nor accept any payments in the forms of green-dot cards or gift cards. Anyone receiving such a call should hang-up immediately.
ARRESTED: On Saturday, Jan. 29, the Hattiesburg Police Department arrested Jkwon Page, a 17-year-old, male, Lamar County resident, following a car chase that ended in a single-car accident. Page is charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, armed carjacking and felony eluding officers.
Page allegedly approached two females while they were sitting in their vehicle in a parking lot on the 3800 block of West 4th Street. He then forced the women at gunpoint to drive to a nearby service station. When the women went inside the service station, Page fled the scene in the vehicle.
Officers pursued Page into Lamar County to Getaway Lane, where he wrecked into the wood line and was taken into custody.
