Prior to Christmas, Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal asked for the public’s help to identify a female thief who stole items from a convenience store on Highway 21 south and then fled with an unknown male. Pictures from the store’s surveillance camera showed a female inside the store and the escape vehicle outside the store.

Chief Deputy Mike Haley said that citizens quickly identified the thief as Crystall Mizell, 36, a resident of Ragland Road in Varnado. Her accomplice was identified as Jessie Linton, 31, also a resident of Ragland Road.

On Dec. 22, deputies went to the residence. Mizell and Linton were not at the residence but were found hiding in nearby woods, Haley said. Both were arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail.

Mizell was booked on charges of misdemeanor theft and possession of stolen property with bond set at $5,750. She met the conditions of bond and was released on Dec. 24. Linton was booked on a charge of possession of stolen property with bond set at $3,500. He met the conditions of bond and was released on Dec. 31.

“The citizen tips were valuable in quickly solving this crime and making the arrests,” Seal said. “I can’t over-emphasize the importance of citizens calling the Sheriff’s Office and reporting information about any crime. Once we received the information, our deputies went to the residence and made the arrests.

“Although it was raining hard, they pursued the suspects into the woods and apprehended them. I appreciate all that they do for Washington Parish and am grateful to the citizens who identified Mizell and Linton.

“Any person with knowledge of any crime is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (985) 839-3434 and report what they know. The partnership between our office and our residents is an important tool in solving crime in our parish.”