Two subjects from Wyoming, Michigan, attempted to enter the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph with a loaded firearm inside a purse Tuesday morning, according to Berrien County Undersheriff Charles Heit.

Arnelda Dywayne Jackson, 40, and Molly Michiell Jackson, 37, were arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail, after Berrien County Sheriff’s Office court security officers noticed the hidden firearm, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, on the x-ray machine during the normal security screening process when the two Wyoming residents attempted to enter the courthouse at around 8:45 a.m.

Once the firearm was detected, the man grabbed the purse and attempted to flee the scene. Both subjects were given verbal commands to stop, which they failed to obey as they fled the courthouse entrance.

Court Security Deputies and Bailiffs were able to apprehend them in the courthouse parking lot without further incident.

During the apprehension, police took the firearm into their possession.

Arnelda will be charged with:

• Carrying concealed weapon
• Resisting and obstructing police
• Felon in possession of a firearm

Molly will be charged with:

• Carrying concealed weapon
• Resisting and obstructing police

The following agencies were involved in the incident: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office court officers, court security bailiff’s, the Berrien County Sheriff Detective Bureau, St. Joseph Department of Public Safety and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Road Patrol.