Man arrested for allegedly stealing $88,000 in jewelry

Published 8:45 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2015

NATCHEZ — A Vidalia man was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing jewelry valued at approximately $88,000 from Belk on John R. Junkin Drive.

Natchez Police detective Jerry Ford said after analyzing surveillance footage, police were able to identify Dwan S. Proby, 20, 393 Terry Circle, Vidalia, in connection with the theft, which happened on July 18.

“Right now, we think more people — at least two — were involved,” Ford said.

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After reviewing surveillance camera footage and receiving tips from anonymous sources, Ford said investigators believe Derrick Franklin, 20, 200 Kyle Road, Ferriday, accompanied Proby in the theft.

A warrant for Franklin’s arrest has been issued, Ford said.

Ford said Proby was apprehended Monday after Proby was pulled over by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

When the CPSO official saw that Proby had a warrant for his arrest, Natchez Police were notified, Ford said.

“He (Proby) actually told me when I interviewed him that he didn’t go into the store, but I have him on video,” Ford said. “He busted out the window and entered the store.”

Ford said police have been able to recover some of the jewelry.

“We are still trying to track down some of the people who bought this jewelry so we can recover it,” he said.

Proby was charged with receiving stolen property and burglary of a business. He is currently being held in the Natchez City Jail.