Sheriff: Creepy clown sighted in Panola County

By Ashley Crutcher
Panola County has received it’s first reported clown sighting on September 20.
A Mount Olivet Road resident reported to Investigator Terry Smith her son went to his car and saw an individual dressed as a clown with green hair standing in their yard.
Most recently a clown was reportedly sighted in the back yard of a Water Valley residence.
“We urge citizens to report these sighting immediately so that an officer may respond and take appropriate action, because you are automatically trespassing when you go onto someone’s property without permission. We want to prevent anyone from getting hurt”, said Investigator Smith.
Multiple posts on facebook from Panola County residents warn clowns to stay off of their property stating they will take action if neccesary.
According to Investigator Smith, clown paraphernalia was seized from a vehicle during a routine traffic stop a few days later on Highway 6 in Panola County.
With Halloween just around the corner it is especially important to beware of your surroundings and pranksters that lurk about this time of year who may not mean any harm, but could face potential danger due to fear instilled by the recent clown sightings.
On September 14, Deputy Josh Griffin, Deputy Steven McLarty and Deputy Jeremy Hailey responded to Yocona Gin Road where a resident reported her twelve year old daughter was walking down Yocona Gin Road and was snatched into a black Nissan Altima by four men.
“My daughter put up a fight and was thrown out while the car was going about 45 miles per hour. When I called for her she was screaming,” stated the resident.
According to the report, when the resident reached the victim her shirt had been ripped off of her.
Med Stat transported the victim to Merit Health Emergency room for an unknown injury to her left arm.
Investigator Jimmy Shannon was notified of the incident and will continue the investigation as a kidnapping and attempted rape.
September 21, Ramsey Circle resident reported her 13 year-old daughter opened up to her stating while she was at another individual’s home all the children had to sleep in the same bed as the 32 year-old suspect.
According to the report, the victim stated the suspect touched her inappropriately and threatened her stating if she said anything, she and her family would have “hell to pay”.
Investigator Bryan Arnold is continuing the investigation.
An individual who was living with the suspect filed a report stating when she found out the suspect was under investigation for possible child sexual allegations she wanted to have her two daughters, three and two year-old, checked to make sure nothing occurred with them.
Investigator Terry Smith notified Investigator Arnold of the incident.
The Panola County Sheriff’s Office received 48 reports from September 14 to September 23 which required service from Sheriff Deputies.
September 14
• Dina Lane resident reported  to Deputy Darryl House his daughter in law tried to run over him, but stated he did not want to file charges.
September 16
•Lieutenent Willie Harris spoke to a Northwood Drive Road resident who reported her husband hit her on June 16, but a report was not done.
According to the report, the resident stated Deputy Chuck Tucker responded to the incident after her husband struck her and ran off into the woods.
The resident continued to state she and her husband got into an argument and he picked her up and threw her across the room and kicked her.
According to the report, Deputy Tucker spoke to the suspect in the woods who claimed everything was ok.
The resident stated she called 911 again later that evening because the suspect was yelling at her and stated she had to go to the emergency room because her body was hurting.
• Hadorn Road resident reported to Deputy Britton Crawford and Investigator Terry Smith her home was broken into and a Glock pistol was taken.
According to the report, the resident arrived home and noticed a window was opened.
The resident stated she went to question neighbors to see what information she could find and when she returned to her residence the window was open again and two men were standing in her home.
• Heafner Road resident reported to Investigator Smith someone kicked in the back door to his residence, but nothing appeared to have been missing.
• Jones Street Road resident reported to Investigator Smith she believes someone has been coming to her home and trying to pry open the back door.
According to the report, there are marks on the door that indicated someone was trying to pry open the door.
September 17
• Deputy Crawford responded to Hadorn Road for a disturbance where the resident reported her daughter has been threatening and cursing her.
According to the report, the resident was having trouble with her daughter leaving for extended periods of time and not taking care of her children.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Panola County Jail.
• Deputy McLarty responded to Greenhill Circle for an assault where the resident stated her 14 year-old son was walking on West Pearl Streat when a group of guys stopped him wanting to fight.
According to the report, the resident stated her son attempted to run but was struck with a closed fist to the left eye.
• Jones Road resident reported to Deputy Crawford her husband arrived home and noticed the back door had been forced open.
According to the report, the resident noticed a pistol was missing. The resident’s son stated a subject was seen with a similar pistol.
Deputy McLarty was unable to make contact with the subject.
The next day Deputy McLarty was called back to the residence and the resident stated the suspect and her husband “had words”.
According to the report, two individuals had information of the subject attempting to sell the gun.
When Deputy McLarty made contact with the subject who stated he didn’t know anything about the gun and consented to a search of his residence.
According to the report, during the search multiple items of paraphernalia were collected and K9 Kantor alterted on an empty black back pack for the detection of explosives.
According to the report, the subjects probation officer was contacted who stated the subject was not supposed to be residing in Panola County.
• Central Academy Road resident reported to Deputy George Renfroe an individual came onto his rear patio and stole his air tank.
• Deputy John Still responded to Jimmy Jones Trailer Park where an individual stated he was visiting family when the suspect threw a rock and broke the window of his vehicle.
According to the report, the individual stated there was no altercation between him and the individual prior to the incident.
• Deputy Crawford spoke to a Farish Gravel Road resident about a subject that had bought some jewelry but was upset with what he had received and wanted his money back.
According to the report, the buyer threatened to sue the seller if he did not give him his money back. Both individuals swapped items back and left.
• Phelps Road, Courtland resident reported a neighbor’s pit bull came onto her property and attacking her cat leaving it in critical condition.
Deputy Renfroe made contact with the neighbor who has since locked the dog up.
September 18
• Deputy Lee Martin responded to a death investigation on Barnacre Road, Sardis.
According to the report, Panola County Coroner Gracie Gulledge stated her investigation revealed the deceased had been smoking in bed and was hooked up to her oxygen.
According to the report, it appears the oxygen ignited and caused burns to the victim’s face.
Gullege stated the victim would be transported to Jackson for an autopsy.
According to the report, the daughter of the deceased found the resident and stated that when she rolled her mother over she could tell she had been dead for a while.
Investigator Terry Smith was notified of the incident.
September 19
• Herron Subdivision, Courtland resident reported property damage to Deputy Tucker.
According to the report, the resident awoke to a loud noise and got up to investigate to find a repo truck was taking his truck.
The resident stated the subject repossessing his truck then dropped the truck and it rolled into his house.
According to the report, the vehicle hit the post holding up the porch, breaking them and crashing into a cabinet and some tools.
• Highway 6 East resident spoke to Deputy Hailey stating he put a money order in the mail for $86.20 to CSpire wireless, but someone stole the money order and cashed it.
• Mount Olivet Road resident reported to Deputy Still a suspect was at his residence when an altercation occurred between the suspect and the resident’s girlfriend which the resident tried to break up but then an altercation between the suspect and resident ensued.
According to the report, the resident left and noticed when he returned he found damages to his vehicle that was parked in his yard.
• Orwood Road resident spoke to Deputy Hailey who stated he was coming off Robison Road onto Highway 315 and noticed a vehicle across the road blowing the horn.
According to the report, the resident asked the subject if he needed any help and the subject got out of his vehicle, cursing and flipping off the resident.
The resident stated when he noticed who it was he drove off and the subject threw a rock  and busted the back driver’s side glass.
• Patterson Lane resident took his phone to Investigator Danny Beaver’s office stating he was looking at porn on his phone when his phone locked up and a message from the FBI showed up advising him to send $500 and then his phone will be unlocked.
September 20
• Longtown Road resident reported to Investigator Smith his stepson recently got out of jail and has been causing problems.
According to the report, the suspect has threatened the resident.
Investigator Smith spoke to the mother of the suspect who stated she understands that her son is causing problems.
• Dees Road resident spoke to Lieutenant Harris who stated her sister filed a false report stating she was abusing their mother.
• Investigator Beavers spoke with a Belmont Road resident who stated she wanted to let the sheriff’s office know she was going out to her property and make sure her ex-husband only gets the property that was given to him in the divorce decree.
• Hunter Chapel Road, Como resident reported to Deputy Hailey her 2003 GMC Sierra was scratched on both sides.
• Coles Point Road resident reported to Deputy Still he was out of town, but his neighbor witnessed a woman and two men went into his home.
The resident stated he noticed the woman was the resident’s ex-girlfriend and confronted the suspects and the suspects left.
According to the report, when the resident returned home he found the house ransacked with no visible signs of forced entry, meaning the suspect either used a spare key or still has a key from when she lived at the residence.
• Deputy House spoke to an Atkins Street, Sardis resident who stated someone knocked down the fence behind New Greenhill Apartments.
September 21
• Deputy Renfroe spoke to an individual who was attempting to serve a summons to a suspect.
According to the report, during an attempt to serve the summons the suspect came out the door with a black pistol telling him to leave the property.
The individual stated he pulled down the road and called 911 and the suspect pulled down the road to where he was and received his papers.
• Deputy Renfroe received a report that an individual was in the road on Atkins Road with two shotguns.
The individual was disarmed before questioning.
According to the report, the individual stated someone was trying to break into his residence and stated they left on four wheelers and boats.
Deputy Renfroe was unable to locate anyone in the area on a four wheeler or in a boat.
According to the report, contraband was found during a search and the individual was arrested and transported to the Panola County Jail.
• Lieutenant Mike Davis spoke to a Main Street, Pope resident who reported someone went online and took out insurance with Allstate and put it on her debit account.
According to the report, $242 was used to insure a 2012 Cadillac.
• Rayburn Road, Como resident stated she arrived home and noticed someone took her purse and phone.
According to the report, the resident stated her ex-boyfriend admitted to taking the phone stating he wanted to see who she was talking to.
The resident stated the suspect has been abusive to her in the past and she currently has a protective order against the suspect.
• Audrey Road, Courtland resident reported damage on her white Chevy Tahoe to Deputy Crawford.
• Deputy Renfroe spoke to a Lafferty Road resident who stated a dog came into her yard and bit her dog.
According to the report, contact was made with the suspect (the dog’s owner) about the incident.
September 22
• Investigator Beavers spoke to a Shiloh Road resident who stated her brother keeps coming to her home and threatening her.
According to the report, the suspect was recently released from a mental hospital.
The resident stated she is afraid he will eventually hurt someone.
• Deputy Market spoke to a Rockhill Road, Sardis resident who stated the suspect came onto her property and threatened to kill her and her son if she didn’t pay her and stated she was taking her to Civil court.
The suspect later filed a report stating the resident hired her husband to build a deck, install a 14’ pool and cut the grass.
According to the report, the suspect stated the job is not complete but the resident is holding their equipment.
• Avery Road, Courtland resident reported to Investigator Beavers someone came onto his property and stole three humming bird feeders.
September 23
• Lieutenant Tucker responded to Shiloh Road and spoke to the resident who reported his 16’ trailer was stolen.
Motor Vehicle Incident Report
September14
• One vehicle rear-ended another on Sardis Lake Drive.
September  15
• Two vehicles collided on Highway 51 and Carlisle Road. An injury was reported.
September 16
• Vehicle hit a deer on Johnson Road.
• Vehicle rear-ended another on Eureka Street.
• Car accident occurred as a result of defective equipment on Ballentine Road resulting in an injury.
September 18
• Vehicle swerved to miss deer and lost control on Central Academy Road. An injury was reported.
• Vehicle hit a deer on Belmont Road.
September 21
• Vehicle swerved to avoid a deer and wrecked on Chapel Hill Road.
Juvenile Offense Report
September 10, 17 year-old landed in hot water for stolen property on McMinn Road.
September 18, 13 year-old ran away from Bethlehem Road.
September 21, 13 year-old was responsible for a family disturbance on Sims Hawkins Road.