Therese Apel

The Clarion-Ledger

A couple was arrested after allegedly making themselves at home in a Rankin County residence that wasn't theirs, including eating the homeowners' food and Christmas treats.

A release from Sheriff Bryan Bailey said that around 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, his department received a call from a resident of Mississippi 13 just south of Puckett. The caller said he and his wife had gotten home to find a red Chevrolet Cavalier that didn't belong to them parked in their carport. As they approached their home, a man and woman ran out of the house and fled in the strange car.

Deputies responded to the scene and noticed that the trespassers, known in the release as the "Grinch couple," had made themselves at home, even eating pecan millionaires and divinity belonging to the homeowners. They had raided the refrigerator and smoked cigarettes inside the home as well.

Police issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) for the vehicle and suspects. Deputy Luke Stickman spotted the car on Mississippi 18 at Hebron Hill and stopped it. When the occupants of the car matched the description of the burglars, he arrested the suspects, assisted by Brandon police.

The suspects were identified as Stephen Valentine of Hattiesburg and Victoria Valentine of Moss Point. Stephen Valentine was allegedly carrying around three grams of methamphetamine.

Both suspects were transported to the Rankin County Jail and charged with burglary and possession of controlled substance. Both suspects will appear before District Attorney Michael Guest and County Court Judge Kent McDaniel for an initial appearance.

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com . Follow her on Facebook and Twitter .