Several arrested in relation to stolen church lawn mower
Published 7:00 am Saturday, August 5, 2017
Duncan
Pearson
Frierson
Prince
Dunfee
Lumpkin
Several suspects were arrested in relation to the theft of a lawnmower from a local church.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Investigator Marc Ogden said the stolen mower was reported on June 25, when members of the Hillcrest Baptist Church noticed it was missing.
An anonymous tip alleged 42-year-old Jason Pearson had purchased the mower and it was at his home located at 715 South Valley Road, Ogden said.
Before heading to Pearson’s home on July 31, a record check was conducted that determined Pearson was an inmate with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, so officers with MDOC were asked to assist with a home inspection. Ogden said that during the inspection the officers found cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine in the home, but not the missing lawnmower.
Pearson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and for violating his probation, Ogden said.
Two other people were at Pearson’s home at the time of the home inspection, and later determined to have warrants out for their arrest. They were identified as Patricia Dunfee, 25, of 9 North Fork Dr., Carriere and Derwood Duncan, 51 of 786 John Amacker Rd., Poplarville. Dunfee was arrested for a warrant with the Louisiana Department of Corrections while Duncan was taken into custody for a warrant with MDOC.
Continued investigation determined that three suspects were involved in stealing and selling the lawnmower, identified as 51-year-old Jimmy Dale Frierson of 562 Beech Rd., Poplarville and 35-year-old Randy Lumpkin and 35 Judy Prince, both of 26 Pine Hill Dr., Ogden said.
The information led the investigators to the home on Pine Hill Drive where they arrested Lumpkin and Prince Monday morning. Lumpkin was arrested for conspiracy to commit grand larceny and grand larceny, while Prince was arrested for conspiracy to commit grand larceny and accessory after the fact.
The day before, investigators learned the mower had been returned to the church, and after interviewing Prince and Lumpkin it was determined Prince was responsible for bringing the equipment back, Ogden said. Frierson was implicated as being involved, and he too was arrested Monday for conspiracy to commit grand larceny and grand larceny.
