A Hazlehurst man was in custody Friday morning after allegedlytaking at gunpoint a Lincoln Navigator from a woman in a Brookhavenstore parking lot Thursday night, said Police Chief Fred McKee.

Following the Brookhaven incident that happened shortly before8:45 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, 25-year-old Harvey C.Bridges was arrested around 11 p.m. after the stolen vehicle wasspotted in Crystal Springs, McKee said. Bridges was being held inthe Copiah County Jail and charged with armed robbery.

“We’ll transport him back to Brookhaven today,” McKee said.

McKee said a Brookhaven woman, who asked not to be identified,was approached by a man as she was putting groceries in thevehicle. The man put a gun in the woman’s face and ordered her tosurrender her purse and car keys, the chief said.

The man took the vehicle, left the parking lot and drove northon Interstate 55. The woman was not harmed other than being veryfrightened, McKee said.

Brookhaven police issued a “be on the lookout” notice for arealaw enforcement and entered the stolen vehicle on the nationalcrime information computer.

Around 11 p.m., Crystal Springs police were able to stop thevehicle. McKee said the license plate had been removed and aweapon, a semi-automatic pistol, was recovered.

Pending completion of an investigation, Bridges could faceadditional charges, McKee said. Also, another arrest in the case ispossible.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes from the store’ssecurity cameras.

“It’ll help in the investigation,” McKee said.

McKee said he appreciated the Crystal Springs PoliceDepartment’s help in quickly finding the suspect.

On a safety note, the police chief also urged citizens to takeextra precautions while they are out and about shopping or pursuingother activities. He said people should park in well-lit areas, bealert and aware while getting in and out of vehicles, and travel ina group if possible.

“During the holidays, crime can occur and it does increase,”McKee said.

Also Thursday, Lincoln County Sheriff Lynn Boyte said threehomes on Rogers Lane, Hutchinson Lane and Marwood Loop wereburglarized between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“We have two of the suspects in custody and have recovered mostof the merchandise,” Boyte said.

Boyte planned to release additional information on theburglaries pending completion of an investigation and an additionalarrest, which was expected today.