Clarksdale Police have uncovered a major theft operation and announced the recovery of a large number of items and is seeking the public’s help in getting these items back to their owners.
Police executed a search warrant in the Oakhurst area recentlyand said they seized thousands of dollars in stolen items.
On Monday police said they recovered several more items and arrested two people in connection to these stolen items.
Antavious Payno was charged with five counts of Residential Burglary. Dwight Cockerham was also arrested and charged with two counts of Accessory After the Fact.
Police said the items recovered may be linked to a number of residential burglaries in Clarksdale and Coahoma County over the past few months.
Police said they have recovered several TVs, air conditioner window units, iPads, PlayStations and other electronic items.
Police said they also recovered clothing with sensors still intact. Officers learned the majority of the clothing had been shoplifted or embezzled from the store in question. Detectives are still going through the clothing to determine the exact value.
Police are asking anyone who has been the victim of a burglary to bring a serial number or give a detailed description of what was taken.
Police said it is always important to report a burglary so items can be returned to their owner these situations.
Police also warned the community that buying stolen items can bring charges of Receiving Stolen Property even if you claim you didn’t know it was stolen, but purchased it at below market prices and didn’t question the transaction.
Anyone convicted of receiving stolen property which up to $1,000, in value can be punished by imprisonment for not more than six months or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
Anyone convicted of breaking and entering a home or inner door of a dwelling whether armed with a deadly weapon or not, and even if at the time the dwelling house is not occupied, with intent to commit a crime, shall be placed in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for not less than three years nor more than 25 years.
The crime is enhanced if the alleged thief has a previous burglary conviction.
