The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Department has solved a rash of burglaries in the county throughout the past few months.

Three breaking and entering cases were solved from November 2023 through January.

Tools, equipment, air compressors and battery chargers were some of the items stolen from a residence on Anderson Road in Bassfield on Nov. 15, 2023. Jefferson Davis County Investigator Vernon Dampier urged the homeowner to place AirTags on his items.

The residence was hit a second time in December but the homeowner had taken Dampier’s advice and placed AirTags on his valuable items. Law enforcement officers were searching for Mason Lucas in connection to these robberies. Lucas was placed on the nationwide National Crime Information Center last week and was apprehended Wednesday night in Covington County. He was transferred to the Jefferson Davis County jail and booked and charged with receiving stolen property and auto theft. 

Because of the AirTags, officers were able to locate the stolen equipment at the home of Lucas’ father in Covington County.

An AirTag is a  Bluetooth tracking device developed by Apple that works with the Find My network to locate personal items and valuables.

“I am screaming to the community to please put AirTags on your items,” said Dampier. “It is going to alert the bad guys, but also might prevent them from stealing or at least make them look harder and spend more time at the scene allowing them to be caught.”

The JDCSO received another breaking and entering call from 61 Terrell Road in Prentiss just before 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2023.

Tools and equipment were stolen from a shed at the residence with an attempt at stealing a trailer. Courtney Black, Cody Shoemaker and Zachary Byrd of Collins and Dakota Grant of Bassfield were arrested and charged with breaking and entering. Byrd is also facing drug charges in Covington County.

On Jan. 18, the Bassfield Depot was robbed with over $17,000 of goods taken from the business. Evidence was left at the scene leading JDC officers to arrest Clifton Pittman, Taylor Harrington of Sumrall and Darriyan Marcel of Collins with the crime. They were all charged with grand larceny and malicious mischief. Joe Leggett is also wanted in connection with that incident.

“We want to give a huge thanks to the Covington County Sheriff’s Department for allowing us to partner with them to make these arrests,” said Dampier.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, or know the whereabouts of Mason Lucas, please contact the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Department at 601-792-5169.