PRESS RELEASE

Property owners in Tunica County are being hit by desperate thieves looking to make quick money, targeting copper and leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage. Tunica County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with a number of partner agencies, are working to extinguish copper theft throughout Tunica County.

Sheriff K.C. Hamp wants the thieves to know, "If you come to Tunica County - you WILL GET CAUGHT."

On Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Tunica County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a suspicious vehicle located at East Tower, the site of a former casino in Robinsonville, MS.

Sheriff deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, sheriff deputies located one, white male hiding on the property. The subject attempted to run on foot, but was detained by Sheriff Deputies.

The subject was identified as Edward Wayne Gant, 66, of Young Harris, GA. Gant was discovered to be in possession of a stolen vehicle out of Tallahatchie County in Mississippi. Gant was transported to the Tunica County Jail Detention Center. Gant is being charged with the following:

• Trespass - Willful
• Possession/Receiving Stolen Property
• Burglary (Commercial Building)
• Burglary Tools, Possession
• Conspiracy

Gant has an active warrant with the Mississippi Department of Corrections for Probation Violation

After an extensive search of the property, an additional subject was located inside the building. This subject, identified as a black male, attempted to flee from Sheriff's Deputies but was detained.

The subject was identified as Lee Moore, 51, of Crenshaw, MS. Moore was transported to the Tunica County Jail Detention Center. Moore is being charged with the following:

• Trespass - Willful
• Possession/Receiving Stolen Property
• Burglary (Commercial Building)
• Burglary Tools, Possession
• Conspiracy

On September 18, 2023, Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to East Tower regarding a suspicious vehicle. Sheriff Deputies located one, white male inside of the building. This subject was identified as Burrell Murphy Jr., 62, of Byhalia, MS. Murphy was transported to the Tunica County Jail Detention Center and charged with:

• Burglary (Commercial Building)

On April 12, 2023, Sheriff Deputies responded to the Tunica River Park in reference to a burglary. A roll of copper wire was amongst the list of several items stolen. Through Tunica County Sheriff's Office Investigation into this incident, Andrew Fuller, 38, of Collierville, TN was named as the suspect. Fuller was arrested and charged with:

• Burglary (Commercial Building)

The criminals that do decide to come to Tunica County and are arrested and charged face serious penalties for their crimes. Theft of copper is valued at amounts that are often classified as felonious.

Burglary (97-17-33) is punishable by up to 7 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Receiving Stolen Property (97-17-70) is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Conspiracy (97-1-1) is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00.

Tunica County Sheriff's Office encourages the public that if you see something suspicious, call and report it to the Tunica County Sheriff's Office at 662-363-1411. This may assist us in catching more of these thieves coming into our County to commit these crimes.