Published: May 12, 2009 09:57 pm      

Authorities nab two for robbery suspect

Two Meridian people have been arrested and charged in connection with recent armed robbery incidents.

Kenneth B. Fleming, 17, and Titanna Tinsley, 22, have been charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault offenses in the incidents.

Fleming is charged with a Friday night incident in which he allegedly robbed a man while the victim sat in his vehicle in the 1300 block of 24th Street shortly before midnight. Fleming is said to have taken an undetermined amount of cash from the victim.

Meridian Police Department Capt. James Sharpe, commander of the MPD's Investigative Division, said when the victim tried to flee in his car, Fleming fired several shots from a handgun. The victim was not hit and made good his escape.

"After officers located the victim and obtained description of the suspect, a man fitting the victim's description was chased and captured by officers of the Patrol Division," said Sharpe. "This person turned out to be Fleming."

While still in custody detectives received and developed information that led to Fleming being charged with four additional counts of armed robbery stemming from an incident reported in the early morning hours Friday.

"Four subjects stated that they were in a rented room celebrating a friend's enlistment into the military when two black males burst into the room," said Sharpe. "One of the males was reported as to carrying a pistol. The suspect then took cellphones, money, and alcohol from the victims and fled the scene in an unknown direction."

After collecting evidence and victim statements, Sharpe said MPD detectives developed Fleming as a suspect in this case. Warrants were drawn up for the arrest of Fleming charging him with 4 counts of armed robbery. Efforts are still underway to identify, locate, and charge the second suspect in the case.

Fleming currently has a $45,000 bond for all charges (which was reduced from a larger amount at his preliminary hearing). He is currently being housed at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility awaiting further legal and/or bonding actions. These cases will be presented to the July 2009 term of the Lauderdale County Grand Jury.

On Saturday Titianna Tinsley was arrested and charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault charges in regards to an incident which occurred on March 7.

"A male victim reported to police that he had been robbed of an undisclosed amount of money, and assaulted by three black males and a black female in the area of the 3700 block of Paulding Street," Sharpe said. "The victim stated that he was struck several times, by an undisclosed item, knocking him to the ground and then kicked by the suspects."

The victim had to be taken to the University Medical Center in Jackson for treatment, the victim's jaw was broken on both sides during the assault. Additional arrests are pending in relation to this incident.

Tinsley is being housed in the Lauderdale County detention Facility under a $20,000 bond for both charges, and is awaiting further legal and/or bonding actions. Tinsley's case will be presented to the July 2009 term of the Lauderdale County Grand Jury for indictment consideration.