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Brent Jonathon Crain, 36, a probationer who was recently released from prison, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on Monday after a crime spree that crossed state lines, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Haley said that Crain’s pursuit began Sunday when an Angie resident reported the theft of his truck and attached boat trailer.

“As WPSO deputies were responding to the theft, reports came in of two hit-and-run accidents involving the stolen truck,” Haley said. “The first hit and run occurred on Highway 438 when another vehicle was forced to leave the roadway, at which time Crain exited the truck, approached the other vehicle and broke the driver’s side window before returning to the stolen truck and driving away.
“Soon afterwards, Crain crashed head-on with another vehicle on Military Road. Both vehicles were disabled and Crain fled into the woods on foot. The canine team from Rayburn Correctional Center responded to the scene and tracked Crain to an area residence.”

Haley said that the homeowner stated that Crain had emerged from the woods and asked the homeowner to drive him to a location in Walthall County, Miss. Crain was driven to a residence across the state line in Walthall County. The homeowner then reportedly led officers and the canine team to Walthall County and pointed out the residence where he last saw Crain.

At this time, the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office was called on for assistance and Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland and some of his deputies arrived, along with officers from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Haley said. The Walthall County officers entered the residence and determined that Crain was not inside. Officers then searched around the house and discovered Crain hiding in a shed on the property, Haley said.

Crain was taken into custody and booked into the Walthall County Jail. He waived extradition and was transported to the Washington Parish Jail, where he was booked on current charges plus other crimes he had committed in the parish.

Crain is charged with three counts of theft of a vehicle, two counts of hit and run and two counts of criminal damage to property. His offenses did not end there, Haley said. Once in jail, Crain continued his criminal activity and was charged additionally by jail deputies with two counts of tampering with surveillance cameras, two counts of criminal damage to property, theft of jail property and possession of contraband in a correctional facility.

Haley said that Crain has an extensive record of arrests in Washington Parish, dating back to January of 2007. His 10 previous arrests were for a variety of offenses, including three counts of issuing worthless checks, vehicle theft, firearm theft, possession of illegal drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated battery, three counts of being a fugitive from another jurisdiction, three counts of theft, burglary, criminal damage to property and failure to appear in court.

“So many agencies contributed to this arrest,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Our deputies and detectives, the Rayburn Correctional Center canine team, Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland and his deputies, along with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, combined their resources and skills to track Crain down and take him into custody.

“I am so grateful to all of these fine agencies and officers who are always willing to assist when called upon. All citizens of Washington Parish and Walthall County are fortunate to have the fine men and women of law enforcement who are always ready, willing and able to apprehend criminals and put them behind bars where they belong.”