MOST WANTED

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI -- A man accused in an armed robbery and attempted sexual battery, a suspect in a robbery and murder, alleged drug peddlers, non-compliant sex offenders, alleged burglars and people wanted on credit card fraud are on the latest list of South Mississippi’s most-wanted criminal suspects.

Within days of the Sun Herald’s Sept. 25 installment of the most-wanted series, Crime Stoppers received a tip that led to the arrest of Ivan Dale Tatum Jr., a 29-year-old man on the run since 2001 and wanted on a felony charge of sale of cocaine.

And within three weeks authorities had arrested three others, including James Townsend, who was picked up after he reported to probation and parole because of a previous conviction on a felony charge of driving under the influence.

Rebecca Coffey, 26, of Biloxi, and Abram Lamar “Gator” Lawrence, 20, surrendered to law enforcement agencies after they realized they’d been featured in the most-wanted series.

Authorities credit the paper’s most-wanted series for encouraging tips to local law enforcement agencies and Crime Stoppers. Tipsters are able to remain anonymous and are eligible for Crime Stoppers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips leading to a felony arrest or indictment.

Since the Sun Herald’s most-wanted series began in 2007, more than 55 suspects have been captured.

The latest most-wanted list includes a man accused in an Oct. 31 armed robbery and attempted sexual battery of the owner of K&J Laundry in the 15520 block of Lemoyne Boulevard in west Jackson County.

Jackson County investigators said Cuong Van Pham was armed with a knife when he went into the store and robbed the owner of her purse and jewelry. Afterward, investigators said, Pham forced the woman into a back room, bound her with duct tape and was attempting to rape her when a customer walked in and interrupted.

Pham fled in a vehicle, which later was found abandoned behind his sister’s home in St. Martin. Authorities believe he may have fled to the New Orleans area.

In addition, Jackson County is continuing the search for a non-compliant sex offender who has been on the run for 10 years for failure to follow state registration requirements.

Gulfport police and Stone County deputies are searching for Steven Doukas, a 32-year-old man accused in forgery, vehicle theft and identity theft cases. In Gulfport, police said Doukas used a counterfeit check to buy $1,200 in items from a Pass Road business. In Stone County, he’s accused of stealing a vehicle, forging documents and stealing someone’s identity.