Regardless of whether they forgot about the gun or intended some sort of mayhem, a Wyoming, Michigan couple is now in jail after trying to enter the Berrien County Courthouse this morning with a fully loaded semi-automatic pistol as court proceedings were getting underway following the long holiday weekend.
Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit says that the two were going through a security checkpoint at approximately 8:45 this morning when the Court Security Officer’s x-ray machine clearly indicated the concealed weapon inside the purse of Molly Jackson of Wyoming. Realizing that the weapon had been detected, 40-year old Arnelda Jackson, also from Wyoming, grabbed the purse from the machine and the two made a run for the door.
Court officers told both to halt, but they ignored the commands and raced out of the courthouse door. Fortunately, before they could escape the premises, Court Security Deputies and Bailiffs teamed up to apprehend both in the courthouse parking lot without further incident.
The loaded semi-automatic pistol was recovered by authorities when they were being arrested and the incident remains under investigation.
Heit says that 37 year old Molly Jackson is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and resisting and obstructing police while Arnelda is charged with both of those charges plus an added charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Both are being held in the Berrien County Jail pending court proceedings and arraignment.
