By John Howell Sr.

The theft of a vehicle from the Piggly Wiggly parking lot Thursday morning triggered a series of events that left Highway 51 partially blocked and police officers swarming, Batesville Deputy Police Chief Don Province said.

Charged with grand larceny is Jason Chantel Morgan, 1723 Sanders Road, Sardis.

 Morgan was also charged with driving with a suspended license, second offense driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance, Province said.

“He had Xanax pills in his pocket,” the deputy chief said.

Morgan is accused of starting an SUV with keys found in the vehicle’s console and then striking a white pickup while attempting to leave the grocery store’s parking lot. That minor collision triggered an emergency call from the victims to the police department at 7:57 a.m., according to Province.

Morgan is then accused of entering Highway 51 northbound and running into the back of a second white pickup which was stopped in the turn lane, Province said.

Police are seeking a second person for questioning in connection with the incident. That person is a black man who was dressed in a black coat, blue jeans and a red toboggan cap, the deputy chief said.

“We don’t know that he was involved, but we’d like to talk to him,” Province said.