Officers continue to investigate a rash of burglaries around the downtown area of Yazoo City over the last couple of weeks. With at least five businesses reporting thefts and damage from the wave of break-ins, Chief Terry Gann said he believes the recent rash is related to the same suspect.
“I feel like the burglaries along Main Street are all related,” Gann said. “We have video footage of who we believe is the suspect, and we are currently trying to identify him at the moment.”
As of press time, no arrests have been made.
Three burglaries were reported during the Fourth of July weekend, and two more were reported this last weekend.
One of the business owners said their property was heavily damaged, along with $213 stolen, over the holiday weekend. He said the burglary occurred around 2 a.m., questioning where the local police presence was at the time.
“A strictly enforced curfew is necessary in our city,” he said. “Our city officials and officers should be held accountable for these various break-ins. This was not the way to celebrate our nation's birthday.”
Gann said he completely understands the frustrations among the business owners who were targeted during the recent rash. But he assures the public that his officers are taking the matter seriously.
“At no time during our night shifts do we have less than three officers on the streets,” Gann said. “Most of the time, we have a fourth officer coming in on overtime to assist. We try to have at least four officers, per shift.”
And Gann said it is not budget constraints that keep his department from being fully staffed.
“I have the money for more staff,” he said. “Money is not the issue. It is getting people to want to join the police force. We are also losing people to higher-paying agencies like the federal prison. Our city board has been very supportive in trying to help me fill these positions. But it is all about getting the right people to apply.”
Gann said he needs about four more officers to consider his department adequately staffed.
Mayor David Starling also mentioned the recent burglaries during Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
“We are aware of the downtown burglaries, and we have devised a plan,” Starling said. “Our police department and Chief Gann are working diligently on things that we feel will catch the suspect or suspects. But we remain extremely sorry and mindful for those break-ins in the downtown area.”
