A man is in custody for allegedly forcing three victims at gunpoint to drive him from Jones County to Starkville.
Draper Manning, 42, of Starkville, is charged with kidnapping, two counts of grand larceny of a motor vehicle and petit larceny.
Manning stole a firearm Thursday before forcing the victims – an adult and two children – to take him to Starkville, according to a police department press release. One victim called the police after Manning exited the vehicle, and officers arrested him shortly after as he was walking near the intersection of Holly Street and Everglade Avenue.
Manning knew the victims prior to the incident, the press release said.
Police served Manning with two unrelated grand larceny warrants for stealing vehicles. The first was reported stolen Nov. 25 from a business on the 400 block of Highway 182. The second was reported stolen Nov. 26 from a business on the 200 block of Old West Point Road.
In September, Manning was charged with stealing a vehicle on Long Street, then burglarizing an apartment on Louisville Street, The Dispatch previously reported.
Manning is being held in Oktibbeha County Jail.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
