The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office made two arrests in connection to a residential burglary in Poplarville.

On Nov. 7, deputies were dispatched to the 800 block of Dupont-Harts Chapel Road at 3 p.m., when homeowners reported a burglary, said Chief Deputy Shane Tucker.

“The homeowners noticed a male, wearing a plaid jacket, running from the back door of their home toward a nearby wood line as they were pulling into the driveway,” Tucker said.

They noticed the back door had been pried open and there were multiple items on the ground  by the door, and Tucker said a pry bar was also in the area.

The homeowners then called “911,” he said.

Several deputies, investigators and a K-9 unit responded to the scene. “The K-9 unit was used to track the scent of the male into the woods,” Tucker said, and during the track, “several items taken from the home were located.”

Some of the items stolen from the residence were a .38 special revolver, clothing and currency in the form of change, said Tucker.

Authorities were not successful in finding the suspect in the woods and the search ended hours later, said Tucker.

Neighbors in the area were aware of the burglary and were informed that a suspect was being sought, the chief deputy said.

“Dispatch received a call that several neighbors observed a male exit the woods in a tank top and jeans,” Tucker said.

The group of neighbors “corralled” him and waited for officials to arrive, he said. “Investigators arrived and noticed the man was scratched and dirty,” Tucker said.

“A plaid jacket was also located nearby,” he said.

Michael A. Williams, 40, of 104 North Hughes St., Poplarville, was arrested and charged with residential burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm, said Tucker.

Williams is in custody at the Pearl River County Correctional Facility on a $33,000 bond, and he has a hold placed on him by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Tucker said.

Before deputies initially arrived at the scene, the homeowner noticed a vehicle driving slowly past his residence, said Tucker. “He told deputies that a female driver said she was looking for a part that fell off her car,” Tucker said.

Further investigation revealed a relationship between Williams and the driver, Lutricia N. Smith, 37, of 155 Etpoole Rd., Poplarville, said Tucker. “She dropped him off and was in the area to pick him back up,” he said.

Tucker said Smith was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and accessory after the fact to commit burglary.

Smith’s bond is $5,000, he said.