Two people reported that they suspect their vehicles were broken into and money was stolen while they were visiting inmates at the county jail.

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said both reports of vehicle burglary were believed to have happened on Sunday morning.

Both victims reported to the department that while they were visiting inmates at the jail between 9 and 11 a.m. that day, their unlocked cars were illegally entered and money and other items were stolen. Tucker said the cars were reported as being a 1992 Chrysler LaBaron and a 2004 Dodge Neon. Both were unlocked at the time, and both victims claim to be missing money.

Tucker said both victims did not report the theft until hours after leaving the jail. One of the alleged thefts was not reported until 6 p.m. that evening. The victims claim that the jail was their only destination prior to noticing the money was missing, prompting them to suspect the money was stolen while their vehicles were parked at the jail, the chief deputy said.

Tucker said the jail does have exterior cameras, but none that covered the area in which the thefts allegedly occurred. However, a new surveillance system was approved for the jail by the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors and will be put out for bid this week, he said. Once the new system is installed, it will cover the area where the two cars had been parked, Tucker said.

Anyone with information about the alleged thefts can call the department at 601-749-7700 or 601-795-2241.