MERIDIAN —
Law enforcement officials are still searching for the suspect in a trailer theft Sunday and are investigating a claim by a man who says he was shot by the trailer's owner.
Lennie M. Swanner, 30, of Zero Road is being sought in connection with the theft of a trailer from a home in the 5800 block of Highway 145 North about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
The property owner reportedly saw Swanner hooking up the trailer and shot at Swanner's vehicle several times as he pulled away with the trailer, officials said. The property owner gave chase, calling Central Dispatch. Members of the Meridian Police Department and the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department joined the chase.
Meridian resident Latrelle Banks told investigators he was a passenger in a car traveling on Highway 145 North when he was hit by what he believes was a bullet fired by the property owner at the fleeing suspect.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the alleged shooting.
Banks said when the car he was riding in rounded the White Castle area just outside the city limits, two vehicles, one with a man firing a handgun, sped past them going toward Meridian. Banks said something smashed through the windshield and struck him.
Casey McElhenney, commander of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department Criminal Investigation Division, said the incident began at about 8:30 p.m. at a home in the 5800 block of Highway 145 North between Springhill Road and T.M. Jones Road in the community of Clarkdale.
At Hamilton Road just inside the Meridian City limits, Swanner lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch, officials said. McElhenney said Swanner then fled into the woods on foot.
A search was conducted by both city and county law enforcement agencies, but the suspect was able to elude authorities and tracking dogs.
McElhenney said he didn't have any information as to if shots were fired during the actual chase.
"I can't comment on the MBI's investigation," McElhenney said. "If the guy has a claim then he needs to have surgery and get the item, whatever it is, out of his arm. There has to be proof the injury occurred as a result of shots being fired before he can proceed with charges."
As far as legal proceedings are concerned, authorities with the MBI said it would "be premature to release any elements of it at this time."
McElhenney urges anyone who has information pertaining to the whereabouts of Swanner to contact Crime Stoppers at (601) 485-1860.
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Suspect in trailer theft still sought
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