A Senatobia man’s vehicle was stolen by a suspect who was denied custody to the Tate County Jail after claiming he had health conditions.
At around 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb.5, officers with Senatobia Police Department were dispatched to W. Main Street in response to an individual attempting to solicit money from a local business. After speaking with the suspect, officers discovered he provided false information when identifying himself.
The suspect, later identified as Oscar Haynes, 40, of Jackson, Miss., was placed into custody by SPD for the charge of false statement of identity.
During the booking process at SPD, Haynes complained of chest pains at which point Pafford EMS was dispatched to the station. According to the police report, the suspect was cleared by Pafford after a medical evaluation and examination.
According to legal documents, SPD escorted Haynes to the Tate County Jail for housing but was refused admission because the suspect complained of chest pains.
Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance said in situations concerning immediate medical issues, an inmate may be admitted to the jail either after receiving a clearance from the hospital or a form from Pafford EMS.
“We contacted Pafford, and they said they have no record of their crews coming to Senatobia Police Department on Feb. 5,” said Lance.
Video surveillance from SPD shows Pafford arriving and evaluating Haynes at approximately 5 p.m., before transportation to Tate County Jail and the subsequent refusal of admittance.
Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler said this is the first time the department was informed of the need for any paperwork from Pafford by the jail.
A representative of Pafford EMS stated in these situations, Pafford will either acquire an electronic waiver signed by the patient refusing transportation to the hospital or they will transport the patient to the local emergency room- in this case, Delta Health Highland Hills, located in Senatobia.
According to emails between Chandler, Lance, and Liddell, Pafford is in the process of developing a document to satisfy the requirement of the jail which currently does not exist.
SPD was charged with transporting Haynes back to the station where he was given notice to appear and released from the station.
Barely five hours later, at around 9 p.m., a Senatobia police officer was flagged down and informed of a stolen vehicle.
The vehicle, a Ford F-150, was parked at the owner’s residence on Carter Street with the keys inside. According to reports, the victim said he spoke to a suspect who matched the description of Haynes just prior to the vehicle being stolen. The victim and other witnesses on scene were shown a photograph and positively identified Haynes as the suspect. An all-points bulletin was issued on the truck and Haynes.
According to reports, the F-150 and Haynes were located around 10:57 p.m., in the area of Bankston Road in Tunica County. A deputy with the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office approached the vehicle and discovered Haynes in the driver’s seat. When questioned, Haynes informed the deputy the vehicle belonged to a Hispanic man who had left to seek help. Haynes said he was helping the man. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies discovered the owner’s driver’s license and registration belonging to the Tate County resident.
SPD was notified of the situation and informed Tunica County the vehicle had been stolen earlier in the evening. Additionally, the department was advised Haynes had been released because he claimed to have COVID-19 symptoms and other health issues.
According to the report, Tunica County Sheriff K.C. Hamp ordered the release of Haynes in order to avoid putting other prisoner’s health at risk.
The situation remains under investigation by SPD.
