OXFORD, Miss — A young man that Oxford Police said burglarized 12 vehicles also grabbed an officer's gun when confronted by police, according to the Oxford Police Department (OPD).
Property crimes mainly involving auto burglaries had been taking place in the Enid and Teasdale area of Tallahatchie County, according to OPD. Police made their way to the 1500 block of Johnson Drive on Feb. 22 in response to a young person supposedly taking their aunt's vehicle.
That night and early into the morning, the occupants of the vehicle committed approximately 12 auto burglaries in Batesville, Mississippi and stole firearms as well as other valuables, according to OPD.
On Feb. 23, police responded to a condo complex in the 800 block of College Hill Road for a suspicious vehicle with people sleeping in the car, according to OPD. This car matched the BOLO from Tallahatchie County that was entered on the vehicle for the young person supposedly taking their aunt's vehicle on Feb. 22.
Four young people were removed from the vehicle by police, and the driver — 18-year-old Willie Earl Porter Jr. — began reaching for a pistol that was in his lap, according to OPD. Officers said they gave commands to put his hands up but he refused, according to OPD.
Porter then reportedly grabbed the officer’s gun but other officers on scene were able to gain control of Porter and get him in custody without further incident, according to OPD.
Porter, of Batesville, Mississippi, is now charged with simple assault on a police officer, possession of a stolen firearm and receiving stolen property, according to OPD.
He was given a bond of $190,000 by the municipal judge and faces seven counts of auto burglary, motor vehicle theft and grand larceny from TCSO, according to OPD.
The Batesville Police Department reportedly also has multiple charges pending against Porter. Two young people are being processed in youth court for their involvement in the offenses that occurred in Tallahatchie County, OPD said.
The youth who allegedly took her aunt’s vehicle has previously been charged as an adult in other crimes in Tallahatchie County and has been charged with the taking of that vehicle, they said.
“This was a great collaborative effort between departments. It takes working with other agencies to be able to do our job as law enforcement officers. I am very grateful for everyone who was involved and assisted Tallahatchie County in this case,” said TCSO Sheriff Jimmy Fly.
