Car chase, conspiracy, and a string of thefts: Six arrested by Warren County Sheriff’s office

WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (VDN) — Six people have been arrested following a string of thefts and burglaries in Warren County, Sheriff Martin Pace announced Wednesday night. The arrests stem from several weeks of investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and involve multiple stolen vehicles, trailers, and the recovery of illegal narcotics and a firearm.

“These arrests, six in total, are the result of several weeks of investigation by Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigators,” said Pace.

The investigation began May 14, when a man later identified as Joel Christopher Calvin entered the Dollar General store in Bovina, gathered several items, and exited through an employee-only area at the rear of the building.

On June 5, Vicksburg police attempted to stop Calvin on an unrelated matter.

“He ran. He did not stop for the blue lights and sirens,” said Pace. “Warren County Sheriff’s deputies picked up the pursuit into Hinds County, to Bolton, and then back to Edwards.”

In Edwards, with help from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the vehicle was stopped. Four people exited the vehicle, including Calvin, who was not arrested at the time. However, deputies found an unspecified amount of cocaine, methamphetamine, and a firearm inside.

The other three occupants—Lewis Williams, 66; Roland Wilbert, 35; and Kieon Jones, 30—were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.

At approximately 8 a.m. on June 16, a 2015 Dodge Ram truck and a gooseneck trailer hauling riding lawnmowers and other industrial equipment were reported stolen from Hinds Community College on Highway 27.

Shortly afterward, the truck—without the trailer—was stopped on South Washington Street and driven by Haily Caraway. The vehicle was recovered, and Caraway was charged with receiving stolen property.

“As the investigation continued, we were able to connect the dots to show that Haily Caraway was, in fact, involved in the conspiracy to commit some of these crimes,” Pace said. “She was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit grand larceny and three counts of conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft.”

Later that day, two Honda motorcycles were reported stolen from a residence in the 1200 block of Sherman Avenue. Pace confirmed both motorcycles were recovered and had been stolen by Calvin.

On the same afternoon, a dump trailer and an enclosed work trailer were reported stolen in the Twin Creeks subdivision. Both have since been recovered.

Joel Christopher Calvin was arrested on June 18 and is facing the following charges:

• Three counts of grand larceny
• Three counts of motor vehicle theft
• One count of receiving stolen property
• Burglary
• Possession of cocaine
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Felony eluding

Calvin, who was on probation at the time, is being held in the Warren County Jail without bond. The Mississippi Department of Corrections has placed a hold on him.

Also arrested was James “Hula” Smith, who faces charges of conspiracy to commit auto theft and conspiracy to commit grand larceny.

“With these arrests—Christopher Calvin, Lewis Williams, Roland Wilbert, Kieon Jones, Haily Caraway, and James ‘Hula’ Smith—we have solved a number of thefts,” Pace said. “We have recovered most of the property. The investigation is continuing. We still haven’t located the gooseneck trailer. If anybody has any information about where that is, we need them to call the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.”

“As is evident with these conspiracy charges,” Pace added, “anybody that is in any way connected with this—anyone assisting in the commission of these crimes—can bet they are going to be charged.”

Watch our report with Warren County Sheriff, Martin Pace below: