Sheriff makes arrests in strong-arm robbery attempts

New Albany, MS- The Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested members of a small gang that had been threatening motorists in the northeastern portion of rural Union County since early January. The incidents had caused considerable concern and apprehension among residents in that part of the county.

Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said Thursday that four individuals were  arrested by his deputies Tuesday evening, January 17. Police arrested a fifth suspect this morning in Little Rock, Ark. Edwards said the five individuals are charged with strong-arm robbery, defined as “taking or stealing something from a person using force or threats, but without using a weapon.” If weapon is used it’s an armed robbery.

According to the Sheriff, criminal actions involved men, faces partially covered with masks, trying to flag down and stop motorists near the intersection of County Roads 227 and 164 in the Pleasant Ridge community. In the first three such incidents, the motorists did not stop and left the scene. The assailants followed their intended victims for some distance in motor vehicles with the hazard lights flashing.

Katie Lynn Broderick

The motorists called 911 and deputies sped to the scene. In the first two instances the perpetrators had left the scene when sheriff’s department officers arrived.

Third time is the charm for Sheriff’s Office

In the third known incident, Monday evening, January 16th, the intended victim called law enforcement authorities by cell phone. In the Monday incident, the deputy arrived in time to interrupt yet another crime while it was still underway, at or near the Mount Zion Baptist Church. The assailants had taken the victim’s wallet and cell phone, and were threatening further harm when the deputy arrived. Four men fled on foot, abandoning two motor vehicles. Edwards said a club and a BB pistol were found in the glove box of one of the abandoned vehicles.

Sheriff Edwards said the Monday night victim was lured to the spot by a woman, 26-year-old Katie Lynn Broderick, who left the scene before the deputy arrived.

Officers were able to get leads by checking the registration of the two motor vehicles abandoned at Mount Zion.

Corey Stone Grose

The next day, Tuesday, deputies arrested Broderick; Corey Stone Grose, age 19; William Devon Page, age 23; and Chuck Edwards, age 34.

William Page

Chuck Edwards

Authorities charged Broderick and the men with strong armed robbery and set bond at $10-thousand each. Edwards was also charged with felony fleeing from the crime scene and an additional $5-thousand bond was set for him. Broderick, Grose, Page and Edwards have all bonded out of jail.

Fifth arrest in Little Rock, Arkansas

Jeremy Scott Smithey

The fourth male participant, Jeremy Scott Smithey fled the county, apparently going first to Alcorn County and leaving from there in a motor vehicle. The Sheriff’s office put Smithey’s information on the Nation Crime Information Center (NCIC) network, resulting in his arrest at a Little Rock, Arkansas, motel this morning (January 19). The sheriff’s office is seeking his return to Union County to face charges. It is not known whether Smithey will attempt to avoid extradition to Mississippi.

Sheriff Edwards said Smithey, Edwards and Page have prior felony convictions.

Smithey was still in custody in Arkansas at the time of this article.