MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A barricade situation in Southaven has come to end after police have taken a robbery suspect in custody.
Authorities reported that suspect Brian Parker, 49, was taken into custody at 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
Multiple agencies in northern Mississippi responded to a “be on the look out” or BOLO alert after a carjacking and two burglaries were reported from the area of Bramble Crest and Vineyard Drive in Olive Branch.
Detectives would later learn the burglaries were actually armed home invasions.
Southaven Police say Parker fled into a wooded area on foot. Minutes later, Parker’s vehicle was spotted in a neighborhood just off Church and Getwell.
Roads in the area were blocked as the Desoto County Sheriff’s Department, Olive Branch police, and Southaven police all searched the area for the suspect.
Detectives said Parker was able to gain entry to the homes by shooting the doors. They also said at some point Parker barricaded himself in one of the homes.
“He broke into a residence where a female was inside, she ran out the back of the residence. We secured the residence and entered into a barricade suspect protocol,” said Southaven Police Chief Macon Moore.
As a result, a nearby daycare was placed on lockdown and some neighbors began evacuating for safety reasons.
After bringing a hostage negotiator in and going back and forth, police say Parker surrendered.
“This gentleman has a very extensive criminal history to date back years. We were extremely worried about the outcome, but the negotiators were able to talk to him, and gave himself up peacefully,” said Moore.
There are no reports of any injuries. Southaven Police said they responded in a few minutes of the first call coming in which they believe made a huge difference.
Southaven Police said Parker now faces at least five felony charges.
“The Southaven Police Department would like to thank the citizens of Southaven for being patient and understanding during this incident,” Southaven Police said in a statement. “The Southaven Police Department would also like to commend the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, the Olive Branch Police Department, MHP, and the ATF for assistance.”
Southaven Police announced Friday that Parker is being charged with home invasion, armed robbery, two counts of attempted burglary, and receiving stolen property.
