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On November 18, 2023, investigators with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation regarding several stolen checks that were being cashed at a local bank. During the investigation, investigators received a call from First National Bank regarding individuals in the bank attempting to cash a stolen check in relation to the case.
Heather Schmidt, 28 years old of Water Valley, Mississippi, and Romira Coba, 34 years old of Water Valley, were arrested on scene at the First National Bank attempting to cash the stolen check.
Investigators conducted further interviews and investigation on how the wo individuals retrieved the checks, and discovered that three other individuals were involved in a Burglary of a house used for storage in the area of Highway 315.
Austin Shepard, Marque Martin, 31 years old of Water Valley, and Rebeckha Daniels, 26 years old of Paris, Mississippi, were all subsequently arrested for Commercial Burglary. Schmidt and Coba were also charged with the Commercial Burglary.
All five individuals were transported to the Lafayette County Detention Center and given various bonds set by a Justice Court Judge. Schmidt received a $5,000.00 bond, Coba received a $10,000.00 bond, and is currently being held on an immigration hold, Martin and Daniels both received a $10,000.00 bond and their bonds were revoked due to being out on previous felony bonds, and Shepard is currently in Panola County Jail awaiting transfer to Lafayette County Jail.
