The Yazoo City Police Department has responded to several reports over the last few weeks, resulting in a few arrests ranging from recovering a stolen weapon, a drug arrest and one suspect who fled from authorities “for no obvious reason.”
Chief Terry Gann said officers recovered a stolen weapon after residents reported shots being fired on Jackson Avenue.
“We received calls that shots were being fired by a male subject,” Gann said. “We went to the area and using the description that was given to us by the callers, we located the individual. After taking him into custody, we discovered that the firearm he had on him had been reported stolen.”
Justin Ellis was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and discharging a firearm within the city limits.
Officers also made a drug possession arrest after approaching a parked vehicle on South Industrial Parkway.
“With the federal prison on one end and the county regional jail on the other, we approach any vehicle we see parked within that area,” Gann said. “Drivers are not allowed to stop within that stretch unless they are broken down. Once we approached the vehicle and the driver, we discovered the presence of narcotics.”
Bethany Whitworth was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.
In an odd circumstance, Gann said officer also made an arrest after a subject fled from a routine traffic stop “for no obvious reason.”
“Officers pulled a vehicle over after the driver ran a stop sign,” Gann said. “During the traffic stop, the driver just took off, which resulted in a pursuit. The driver went through town and then headed down Highway 16 into Madison County. With assistance from the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department setting up a roadblock, we were able to apprehend the subject.”
Johnathan Grant was charged with felony evading.
“We don’t know why he took off,” Gann added. “There was nothing in his vehicle, and he had no outstanding warrants.”
