Two men were detained Monday night in Hattiesburg for allegedly stealing a vehicle, according to the Hattiesburg Police Department.
Police identified the suspects as Miguel Mata Lara, 35, and Geovanny Ponce Paulin, 20. Both are charged with one count of grand larceny auto.
Officers said they got a report of a stolen car about 8:20 p.m. The vehicle’s owner informed authorities that he left it running while walking into a neighboring store. While he was inside, two males entered the vehicle and drove off west on Highway 98.
Shortly thereafter, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office reported discovering a car matching the description at a checkpoint near Jackson Road and Gravel Pit Road. Deputies say the suspects fled into the woods after exiting the vehicle.
Hattiesburg police and Lamar County deputies erected a perimeter and arrested both individuals shortly thereafter. They were taken to HPD for interrogation and eventually placed into the Forrest County Jail.
The investigation is underway.
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