Man Missing Since Last Year Arrested After Armed Robbery, Multi-County Chase

CLAY COUNTY, MS (BuzzReport)– Corey Thomas, 32, a Clay County man who had been reported missing for over a year, is now in custody following an alleged armed robbery in West Point and a subsequent multi-county police pursuit that concluded with his vehicle crashing in Columbus.

The incident began when West Point Police Department officers responded to an armed robbery report at Connie’s Chicken. Authorities quickly identified a suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit. The chase was temporarily disrupted in a construction zone on Highway 45A within Clay County.

However, the pursuit was swiftly re-engaged by Clay County Chief Deputy Steven Woodruff, who continued to follow the vehicle into Lowndes County. Chief Deputy Woodruff coordinated efforts with local law enforcement, leading to Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins joining the chase. Sheriff Hawkins ultimately brought the pursuit to a conclusion when the suspect’s vehicle crashed at the Highway 45 exit on Highway 82 in Columbus.

Corey Thomas was subsequently arrested at the scene without further incident. Authorities confirmed no injuries were reported among law enforcement, the public, or the suspect during the high-speed chase or the crash.

The circumstances surrounding Thomas’s identification are particularly notable. He had been officially listed as missing from Clay County since July 2023. Just one day prior to the robbery, Thomas had been located by a family member in Starkville and had returned to his family’s residence. Investigators revealed that on the morning of the alleged robbery, Thomas reportedly stole his father’s vehicle before committing the crime.

Thomas is now facing armed robbery charges in Clay County, with additional charges expected to be filed in both Clay and Lowndes Counties. The successful apprehension was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Columbus Police Department. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.