Jackson Jambalaya

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following press release:

On December 24th, 2016 at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Rankin County Sheriff's Office received a call from a resident at HWY 13 south of the Puckett community. The caller reported that he and his wife arrived home and there was a red dirty Chevrolet Cavalier parked in their carport. When they approached the residence, a male and a female ran out of the house, got into the red Chevrolet and fled from the scene. The couple immediately called 911 and reported it to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to the scene and noticed once inside the home, the "Grinch" couple had made themselves at home. They had been eating the home owners Christmas treats including pecan millionaires and divinity. The suspects had also raided the couple’s refrigerator and had been smoking inside the house.

A county-wide “Be on the Lookout” was put out to all Law Enforcement agencies for the vehicle and suspects. Rankin County Deputy, Luke Stickman, spotted the vehicle on Hwy 18 at Hebron Hill and made a traffic stop. The deputy identified the occupants and the vehicle as matching the description of the burglars. Deputy Stickman, backed up by Brandon Police, arrested the suspects. A search of the male suspect revealed approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine.

Both suspects were transported to the Rankin County Jail and charged with burglary and possession of controlled substance.

The suspects were identified as Stephen VALENTINE of Hattiesburg and Victoria VALENTINE of Moss Point. Both suspects will appear before District Attorney Michael Guest and County Court Judge Kent McDaniel for an Initial Appearance.