A traffic stop late Thursday led to the arrest of a Vicksburg man, who now faces a felony firearms charge.

Thursday, just before 8:30 p.m., officers attempted to stop two suspicious vehicles near the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Interstate 20. As officers approached, a driver of one of the vehicles, Merle Kirkley of Vicksburg, was seen throwing a small-caliber handgun out of the window of his vehicle.

Kirkley was taken into custody during the stop and officers recovered the .22 caliber revolver he was seen throwing from the vehicle.

Merle Kirkley was arrested at 8:29 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2020, after officers stopped to investigate two suspicious vehicles near the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Interstate 20. Kirkley, a convicted felon, was seen throwing a small-caliber handgun out of the window of his vehicle as the officers approached.

Kirkley, who is a convicted felon, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During his initial court appearance Friday, Kirkley received a $30,000 bond from Judge Allen Dirivaux.  Kirkley’s case was also bound over to the grand jury.

 

In other reports:

• On Saturday, at 11:17 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1700 block of Grove Street in reference to a residential burglary. The victim reported someone kicked his front door in and stole a Craftsman Miter Box Saw and a 150-pound air compressor. The total value of the missing items in estimated to be $550.

• On Saturday, at 6:57 p.m., officers responded to the Best Western, 2445 N. Frontage Road, in reference to a stolen vehicle. The victim reported someone stole his 2012 Ford F-250 truck from the hotel parking lot. The vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys in the center console.

• On Saturday, at 7:07 p.m., officers responded to Hobby Lobby, 3505 Pemberton Square Blvd., in reference to an auto burglary. According to the victim, someone entered her 1999 Toyota Camry and stole groceries, a pair of Air Jordan’s, a comforter bedding set and household goods. The total value of the stolen items is estimated to be $688.