By Emily Williams
Judge Bill McKenzie referred three cases to the grand jury during Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday. Two of the defendants were charged in late December thefts from parked vehicles.
Assistant Police Chief Jimmy McCloud quoted from a January 22 news story in  The Panolian that reported Thomas Gant Jr., 200 Park St., Batesville, had been charged with two counts of vehicular burglary and two counts of petit larceny following an investigation that included review of convenience store surveillance footage.
The Panolian’s delivery van was parked outside the Kangaroo convenience store on Tuesday, December 28, while the driver went inside to collect for newspapers sold there. The alleged thief used the opportunity to open the unlocked door of the vehicle and grab the driver’s purse which she had placed out of sight.
Gant, who had bonded out of jail, was referred to the grand jury.
 Jessie L. Parker, 1812 Farrish Gravel, Batesville, also bonded out prior to court for two counts of burglary and three counts of petit larceny, was also bound over to the grand jury.
Neither Gant nor Parker were in court.
Melanie Sloan, 97 Baird Rd., Batesville, bonded out of jail prior to court and was bound over to the grand jury for arson charges.
Public drunk
Kenneth O. Weiderhold, 200 Hwy. 51 South, Batesville, was fined $225 for public drunk.
Quentin L. Hogan, 9718 Hwy. 51, Courtland, was fined $225 for public drunkl.
Possession
Michael A. Cowsert, 634 Plum Point, Enid, was fined $443 for simple possession of marijuana.
Brandon Frederick, 200 Park St., Batesville, was given time served for time spent in jail for charges for simple possession of marijuana.
Shoplifting
Joseph E. Smith, 2242 Vassar Rd., Pope, entered a not guilty plea to shoplifting from Walmart and to willful trespassing.
Smith failed to appear his last court date and when he arrived in court late the judge said, “I am glad you are here. I just signed a warrant for your arrest.”
A trial date was set for February 17.
Other cases
Justin Fletcher, 712 Bethlehem Rd., Batesville, failed to appear to answer charges for false pretenses and old fines of $646 due since April 2015.
Al Williams Bonding was notified.
Jeanette Langston, 113 Cole Dr., Batesville, had a domestic violence-simple assault charge dismissed after the affiant, George Ards, failed to appear to prosecute.
Tiffany M. Caldwell, 123 Vance St., Batesville, had a domestic violence-simple assault case continued.