North Mississippi Herald

By David Howell
Editor

Two suspects are behind bars following an armed robbery Sunday night at Rascals in Water Valley.
The robbery was reported at 6:41 p.m.. and officers quickly responded, Lt. Rick McCuan said.
“One individual entered the store with a gun,” said McCuan. The suspect, displaying a handgun, took $224 in cash and fled in a vehicle with a second suspect.
Within five or six minutes of the call, Sgt. Marshall Jackson spotted a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car at Folson Trailer Park, McCuan reported.
Antonio Hardaway, of CR 15, Water Valley, was arrested by Jackson at that time. Hardaway, 27, has been charged with armed robbery.
While Jackson was making the arrest, the second suspect fled the scene on foot. A dog was summoned from the Oxford Police Department.
“The dog tracked him, but the other suspect had fled the scene,” McCuan reported.
The following afternoon, Marcus Williams, also of Water Valley, turned himself in to the police. Williams, age 20, has also been charged with armed robbery.
Both of the suspects are well-known by area law enforcement officials according to McCuan. Williams and Hardaway are currently in the Yalobusha County Jail and are expected to have an initial appearance in municipal court Thursday. Bond has not been set.
“The case remain under investigation,” McCuan said, although adding that his department was not seeking additional suspects in connection with the crime.
In an unrelated incident, a man was arrested for petty larceny after he stole money from a resident.
McCuan said the victim had let the suspect in the house after he had knocked on the door asking to perform lawn work.
McCuan urged Water Vallians to use caution when opening the door for a stranger – especially for people asking for money. He reported his department has fielded a number of complaints in recent weeks, after someone knocked on a door asking for money.
“Don’t give them money, and call us,” McCuan advised.
Other police activity reported during the last week included:
• an arrest for a bench warrant;
• an arrest on a justice court warrant;
• two arrests for possession of beer;
• an arrest for DUI, first offense and possession of beer;
• an arrest for domestic assault;
• an arrest for possession of marijuana; and
• two arrests for driving under suspension
The department also answered the following complaints during the last week:
• a report of a burglary of a residence on Blackmur Drive. Reported missing in
the incident were a shotgun and 13 swords;
• a report of petty larceny;
• a report of grand larceny
Eleven traffic citations were issued during the last week, and officers worked two traffic accidents.

Staff Report

A 24 year-old woman who worked at Regions Bank in Water Valley was found dead in her car on Sunday, December 31. Ashley Dias, 24, had been missing since the previous Thursday.
An intense manhunt, covering both Yalobusha and Lafayette County, was conducted by family members and law enforcement officials before a hunter found her inside her car on County Road 379 in southern Lafayette County.
According to published reports, Lafayette County Coroner Lonnie Weaver said that Ashley had died from a prescription overdose. A toxicology report, which could be completed next week, may help determine the manner of death. Published reports also have stated that foul play is not suspected in her death.
Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported that his deputies and volunteers with several fire departments checked many of the roads in Yalobusha County as part of the search for Dias.
“We conducted a pretty thorough manhunt in our county,” Humphreys said.
Dias had worked for almost six months in Water Valley and was married to John Dias.

Staff Report

  Tubist James E. Shearer, professor at New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, N.M., will present a concert in Water Valley First Baptist Church Monday night, January 15, beginning at seven. Shearer will be accompanied by Pianist Martha Rowe. Dr. Rowe is also a professor at New Mexico State.
Shearer, son of the late Ed and Betty Shearer of Water Valley, was educated in the Water Valley School System. He received his B.S. degree from Delta State University, his masters from New Mexico State and his terminal degree from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
  He was assistant Director of Bands at Southern Arkansas State University in Magnolia for one year, before returning to New Mexico State where he was Director of Jazz Studies for two years. He now instructs a master’s class, a music appreciation class, a theory class, and the tuba music majors studio.
  Dr. Rowe is a foreign language diction and vocal pedagogy instructor at the school.
  Everyone is cordially invited to attend this performance.
The performance will be an eclectic collection of a classical, lullaby, waltz and rustic dance variety - surely a performance that will offer everyone present something to enjoy.
  Colleagues Shearer and Rowe will also give a concert on the Delta State University Campus Tuesday night, January 16th.