Pair arrested for theft in multi-agency effort

Earle men charged in burglary spree across three counties

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

A rash of burglaries in three counties, including Crittenden County, has resulted in the arrest of two Earle residents suspected of the string of crimes The string of farm shop burglaries in the area included the theft of farming implements, ATVs, tools and thousands of dollars in other items drew the attention of law enforcement agencies in Crittenden, Cross and St. Francis counties over the past several weeks. Last week, that crime spree was halted with two suspects in custody.

Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen said the two suspects, identified as Christopher Lee Linville, 32, and Garrett Brown, 37, both of Earle, were taken into custody Saturday.

According to reports, the suspects were traveling in a Chevrolet S10 truck, which matched the description of a truck used in a farm shop burglary near Earle. “Evidence obtained during the stop led investigators to obtain a search warrant for a residence in Earle where the two had been living,” Allen said, “That search connected them to other farm shop burglaries in Crittenden, Cross and St.

Francis counties.”

As a reminder, the possession, even through purchase, of stolen propertyis a prosecutable offense.

“If you have purchased any items from the two suspects,” warned Allen. I would encourage you to contact the Sheriff’s Department immediately to avoid being charged with theft by receiving.”

Allen thanked the sheriff’s offices in Cross and St. Francis counties as they worked in a multi-agency effort to make the arrests.

“I’d like to thank Sheriff David West and his criminal Investigation Commander Captain James Melton who assisted in the Search and property recovery and Sheriff Bobby May and his Criminal Investigators who assisted in this investigation,” said Allen. “Great team work and great results.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

“If you have information about some of the unrecovered stolen property taken by these subjects that was sold please contact local law enforcement,” said Allen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 870-732-4444 or the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office at 870-702-2047.

Photo courtesy of CCSO

LINVILLE

BROWN