Jones County seeks Laurel man on arson charge after vehicle fire

JONES COUNTY, Mississippi — Authorities are seeking a Laurel man on an arson charge after a vehicle fire Tuesday at Howard Industries in the Pendorff community, the Jones County Sheriff’s Department said.

Deputies and the Laurel Fire Department responded March 31, 2026, to a report of a vehicle fire at the company parking lot, the sheriff’s department said. Investigators later identified Rashad Lawrence, 30, of Laurel, as the suspect in damaging three passenger vehicles in the lot, authorities said. Lawrence is wanted on a charge of arson.

Anyone with information about Lawrence’s whereabouts is asked to call the Jones County Sheriff’s Department at 601-425-3147 or Jones County Crime Stoppers at 601-428-STOP (7867), the sheriff’s department said. A financial reward may be available through Crime Stoppers for information leading to Lawrence’s arrest.

The investigation remains active and the sheriff’s department urged anyone with video or other information to come forward. We will provide more information as it becomes available.