Three people charged with carjacking and auto theft in Tupelo

TUPELO – A license plate reader helped solve a Tupelo police investigation into car thefts and thefts in residential areas of the city.

Police received multiple reports of vehicle theft in residential areas of Tupelo on Tuesday. In at least two of the cases, a vehicle was also reported stolen. While officers were still gathering information regarding the crimes, one of the TPD license plate readers observed a stolen vehicle entering city limits.

Officers stopped the stolen vehicle in the Barnes Pass area and the occupants were arrested. During the arrest, a second vehicle nearly hit the patrol car. Officers then pursued the vehicle through Tupelo and eventually arrested a suspect. The second car was also reported stolen in connection with other thefts.

The investigation led to the arrest of Jakius Blake Coleman, 20, of Rollingwood Drive, Tupelo, on Nov. 20; Ta’Ellis Edwards, 19, of Booth Street, Guntown; and Jordan Hurley Smith, 22, of Ivywood Cove, Saltillo. All three were charged with three counts of theft of a vehicle, two counts of felony criminal trespass from a motor vehicle and a number of misdemeanor charges.

At their initial hearings, Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Jay Weir ordered Smith, who was already out on felony bail, held on $120,000 bail for Coleman and held on $100,000 bail for Edwards.

More charges are currently expected in neighboring jurisdictions and more arrests may occur.