McComb law enforcement is pushing back on recent social media posts claiming they had not arrested people in recent shootings nor released information to the media.
Chief Detective Sgt. Victoria Carter said there had been reports of people calling news stations claiming the department was withholding information and not arresting people for crimes committed. She said both claims are false, as did Police Chief Garland Ward.
Ward said Kendrick Smith, 43, of McComb, was charged with two felony counts of malicious mischief Tuesday after he allegedly shot into multiple businesses around the city, including the Market Max at 115 W. Presley Boulevard and a guitar repair shop located at 132 S. Front Street.
The damage to the convenience store totaled about $2,200 and the guitar repair shop’s damages ranged to about $1,500.
Though he was charged with a felony, Ward said the Pike County Jail refused to take him into custody and the department had to release him.
He also noted in another incident, the department had to send an inmate to Brookhaven’s jail.
“We can arrest them, but we can’t make the jail take them,” Carter said.
This comes after Pike County sheriff’s officials previously said they had to be “more selective” in their admissions to the jail due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are open for business, but you always have to be cautious,” Sheriff James Brumfield previously told the Enterprise-Journal. “We are still taking those steps to protect not only our residents but also corrections officers.
“As sheriff I am charged with protecting people and property. I am also charged with running the jail. We do not turn down an officer who comes to us.”
Among rumors of withheld information, Carter said the only information the department has withheld to members of the media was the names of the people involved in an Oct. 14 shooting in which six people were injured — four of whom were under the age of 18 — on Nelson Avenue near Southgate Apartments. None of the injuries were life-threatening and no arrests were made.
Carter said the names were withheld due to the fact that multiple juveniles were involved and the department wanted to protect their identities. She did note that they had a person of interest in the case and hope to conclude the investigation soon.
Meanwhile, Carter said there was also a burglary Wednesday at McComb Recycling Center. The thief entered the building, located at 3146 Old Industrial Park Road, through a storage door on the north side of the building. A tractor battery was the only item stolen.
