Oktibbeha County sheriff’s deputies arrested five Mississippi State University students early Monday morning for multiple counts of auto burglary.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old Furtona Ballard, of Sledge; 18-year-old Kizziah Carter, of Tunica; 18-year-old Isaiah Elam of McCall Creek; 19-year-old Deshon Grice, of Tunica; and 19-year-old Splyndid Hollis, of Holly Springs, at 1:50 a.m. Each suspect was arrested on suspicion of four counts of auto burglary. Elam also faces charges of possession of a stolen firearm and giving false information to a police officer.
OCSO Lt. Brett Watson confirmed to The Dispatch the five suspects were arrested at the Helix apartments, which are located between Blackjack and Oktoc roads, just south of Mississippi State’s campus. He said investigators believe the suspects were going through unlocked vehicles.
Watson said it’s important for people to lock their cars and to not leave valuables in open sight within them. He said electronics, money and wallets or purses are some of the top targets for auto burglaries.
“Property crime is our number one crime problem we have in Oktibbeha County,” Watson said. “With respect to these auto burglaries in particular, I would say 95 percent-plus come through cares that are unlocked with electronics, cash, guns and things like that that are left inside.”
The suspects have been arraigned in Oktibbeha County Justice Court and were booked into Oktibbeha County Jail. Watson said Ballard, Carter and Grice are still in the jail on $37,500 bond each. Hollis is out on $37,500 bond. He said Elam is still in jail on $47,933 bond.
Watson said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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