BRANDON MAN CHARGED WITH STATUTORY RAPE HERE

A Brandon man has been charged with statutory rape and released on bond following his arrest by Warren County officers over the weekend.

Michael Wood, 44, 104 Daniel Cove, Brandon, was arrested by Detective Tim Williams and released on $50,000 bond, said Jay McKenzie, chief of detectives.

McKenzie said Rankin County officers had charged Wood with statutory rape in a Rankin County attack. During their investigation, they were led to believe something similar happened in Warren County.

Working with Rankin County officers, Williams found where a man identified as Wood had checked into a local motel with a 14-year-old girl.

McKenzie said the statutory rape charge arose because the victim was younger than 16 and the suspect is more than 36 months older than she is.

He also said Wood is out of jail in Rankin County on a similar bond.

TRUCK, RADIOS, TOOLS AMONG MISSING ITEMS

Citizens band radios, tools, electronic gear and a 1977 pickup were the targets of thieves, said local officers.

The driver of a 2000 Freightliner 18-wheeler tractor told police Thursday someone took a Galaxie CB radio and a Whistler radar detector with a total value of $650 from the truck while it was parked at McCool’s Wood Yard on U.S. 61 North.

The owner of a blue and gray, 1977 Chevrolet pickup said the vehicle was stolen from the 1200 block of Locust Street Sunday.

Jay McKenzie of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department said a resident of Impala Drive reported Thursday someone broke into his home and took two air nail guns, a 19-inch TV, two videocassette recorders, a jug of change and an AM-FM CD player.

A resident of the 10000 block of U.S. 61 South told deputies Friday that a gold necklace and a diamond ring were missing from her home. There was no sign of forced entry.

A resident of the 1500 block of U.S. 80 said his pickup, parked at his home, was broken into. Missing items were an assortment of hand tools, a blue toolbox, drill bits, a 12-volt Makita drill with charger and bits, a DeWalt electric drill, a circular saw and a hammer.