Bail Denied For Munitions / Range Theft At Camp Shelby

Gulfport, Mississippi Looney, Lance, 25, and three accomplices were denied bail for their alleged involvement in the theft of munitions from the ranges at Camp Shelby. The ATF testified in court that Looney, Lance cashed a check for $3,000 back in November from an Alabama recycling company, profits from allegedly stolen munitions debris. Looney's alleged crime partner, Dale Ray Johnson, 33, was not so lucky. He was the man injured on January 19th when a munition he was cutting open exploded sending shrapnel through his neck and kneecap. He also lost an eye and the bones in his hands were crushed. Johnson has not been arrested but Looney, Lance and three other alleged accomplices were including Jimmy Wilson, 48; his brother, Jack Wilson, 45; and David Bangs, 48 were.

ATF agents interviewed the men who were arrested and learned that Jimmy Wilson was the one who cut the barbed wire fence allowing the group to drive pickup trucks onto the range to gather munitions. In the interview process, Wilson claimed he had been harvesting munitions from the Camp Shelby ranges for over 20 years initially beginning his crime spree with his father. A 6th man who has not been identified was reportedly involved with the munitions thefts. The men arrested do not have records but all are unemployed.

Authorities believe the munition that exploded was an AT4 projectile. The case has been referred to the Grand Jury which will decide the fate of each of the four men arrested. The judge denied bond because he felt the men showed a reckless disregard for public safety as the incident occurred near residential houses and an elementary school located within close proximity to the range.