Traffic was backed up for an hour and a half and one vehicle was damaged when an illegally felled tree crossed Interstate 20 Tuesday afternoon.

Tammy Tucker, 39, 3426 Newman Road, Edwards, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Impala when she was forced from the road as the tree fell across the I-20 west lanes near the Rolling Fork exit, said Mississippi Highway Patrolman Daniel Lewis.

He said the tree apparently was being cut for firewood. No information on charges was available. Cutting trees in the state right-of-way can result in arrest.

The oak blocked both lanes until Mississippi Department of Transportation employees could remove the top portion of the tree to clear the left lane.

Traffic was reduced to one lane for about an hour and a half while the rest of the tree was removed, said MDOT’s Bob Broadwater.

The tree cutters were in the process of cutting down a second tree, and it was left damaged, when they fled, Broadwater said.

Tucker was not injured though her car was damaged, Lewis said.

Pedestrian beaten, robbed by gang on Adams Street

A 55-year-old pedestrian was attacked and robbed Tuesday just before 6 p.m. in the 1200 block of Adams Street, Vicksburg police Sgt. Sandra Williams said.

A motorist found the victim lying in the street, bleeding, Williams said. The man said he had been approached by two men, one of whom asked him for a quarter. When the man said he did not have one, at least eight other men joined the two in attacking the victim. He was robbed of his wallet.

The victim was taken to River Region Medical Center where he was treated and released, Williams said. The victim was not able to give a physical description of his attackers, Williams said.

Cable TV equipment missing from Chambers

Cable TV equipment was reported stolen Tuesday at 8:51 a.m. from a residence in the 1600 block of Chambers Street, Vicksburg police Sgt. Sandra Williams said. Missing was a Motorola DCT-200 digital receiver valued at $350, a Motorola modem valued at $75 and a VCR valued at $50.

City man charged for drugs, weapons

A Vicksburg man was arrested Tuesday on drug and weapons charges, Vicksburg police Sgt. Sandra Williams said.

James Arnez Mosley, 25, 780 U.S. 61 North, Apt. 9G, was arrested at 8:20 p.m. at a convenience store on U.S. 61 North.

Mosley was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of cocaine.

Police narcotics division had executed a search warrant for Mosley’s residence as a result of an undercover drug investigation, Williams said. His residence was searched and he was later seen at the store and arrested. Mosley was being held without bond pending an initial hearing this morning.

County arrests three for three crimes

Three Vicksburg residents were in the Warren County Jail this morning after arrests by the sheriff’s department, jail records said this morning.

Colton Branning, 18, 118 Robert E. Lee Blvd., was arrested at 11 a.m. Tuesday and charged with receiving stolen property. Branning’s charge is related to the theft of a U.S. Army-owned 2007 Chevrolet Impala for which John Taylor Burton, 18, was charged Tuesday, said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.

Tina Brown, 30, 100 Starlight Road, was arrested at 1 p.m., and charged with burglary of an automobile. Michael Robinson, 22, 1508 Ethel St., was arrested at 5:50 p.m., charged with drug court sanction.

Brown’s bond was set at $5,000. Bond on Branning and Robinson had not been set.