Narcotics Investigators from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local law enforcement recently executed search warrants at two separate residences in Heber Springs. Four adults, two at each location were arrested and transported to the Cleburne County Detention Center on a variety of drug related charges. All four also face charges relating to exposing the children who lived with them and that they were responsible for to an environment involving the manufacture and/or sale of drugs.
The first of the two warrants was executed at an apartment on Park Street on March 27th. Twenty-one year old Chas Boyer and twenty-one year old Danielle Alexander have both been charged with; Exposing a Child to Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for use with Methamphetamine, three counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Furnishing Prohibited Articles. Both are currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
The second warrant was executed at a mobile home on Spinks Lane on April 9th. Thirty-four year old Steven Kane and twenty-four year old Angela Kane have both been charged with; three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Manufacturing a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Maintaining a Drug Premise within 1,000 feet of a Daycare. Bond for both Steven and Angela Kane was set at $25,000.
Shortly before 1:30 PM, April 19th, Deputies from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a Burglary in progress at Southside Baptist Church in Heber Springs. After being discovered in the building, the suspect fled the scene traveling south, in a yellow Dodge pickup. By 2:00 PM, with the help of the Quitman Police Department, a suspect had been located and detained at 249 Jefferson Circle near Quitman. Once the suspect vehicle had been positively identified, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office took twenty-nine year old Craig Lee Balderee of Quitman into custody and transported him to the Cleburne County Detention Center where he is currently being held. Balderee has been charged with one count of Commercial Burglary. Bond for Balderee was set at $5,000.
Shortly after 11:00 PM, April 16th, thirty-five year old Michael Wayne Barnett of Heber Springs was arrested at a residence on Cooterneck Road for Criminal Trespass. At the time of his arrest it is believed that he was attempting to steal a vehicle. An investigation of his recent activities has led to Barnett being charged with one count of Commercial Burglary, one count of Residential Burglary and one count of Theft of property. The additional charges were all separate incidents reported to the Sheriff’s Office over the last few weeks. Barnett is currently being held in the Cleburne County Detention Center on a $50,000 Bond.
On Monday, April 8th, shortly after 3:00 AM Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at Rosebud Gold and Pawn in Hopewell. At the scene, the complainant related that shots had been fired at an individual during an attempted burglary. Later in the morning a suspect, believed to be the individual who fled from the scene in Hopewell, was identified and located at the White County Medical Center Emergency Room being treated for a gunshot wound.The names of the persons involved are being withheld pending further investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Friday afternoon, March 15th the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a student carrying a handgun on a Concord School bus while on the way home after school. When Investigators identified and located the 15 year old suspect they also seized a twenty-five caliber handgun. Juvenile authorities were contacted and the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the White River Juvenile Detention Facility. At this time an affidavit charging the juvenile suspect with a single count of Possession of a Firearm on School Property (Class D Felony) has been filed with the Prosecuting Attorney.
A 2006 Yamaha motorcycle reported stolen on March 10th was recovered in Conway County. Twenty-seven year old Charles Ayers is currently in custody in Conway County. How Ayers came to be in possession of the motorcycle is currently under investigation.
Murphy Dean Jackson, shown above, a twenty-four year old Carlisle resident was taken into custody Sunday afternoon at Parker’s Bend near Greers Ferry. Jackson, who was wanted on a Felony warrant from Carlisle and had been located in the area Friday night when Deputies responded to a trespassing call on Lois Lane. Although there was a very noticeable police presence in the area there was no danger to area residents. After Jackson fled from Deputies twice, tracking dogs from the Arkansas Department of Corrections were called in and assisted with Jackson’s capture. No local charges are pending and Jackson has been turned over to Carlisle Police and returned to Carlisle.
At approximately 6:30 PM, Tuesday March 5th, officers from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s office, White County Sheriff’s office, Judsonia Police Department, and Heber Springs Police department arrested forty-one year old Jeremy Shawn Kennedy on a warrant for Residential Burglary and Theft of Property. Kennedy, a resident of Judsonia, was taken into custody at 615 North Second Street in Judsonia. Kennedy apparently went through a trap door in the floor of the residence after officers arrived, and was found underneath the home. Kennedy was transported to the Cleburne County Detention Center and booked on the charges. Bond was set at $100,000. Surveillance video from the scene of the burglary posted on Facebook resulted in numerous tips that made it possible for Sheriff’s Office Investigators to identify and locate both Kennedy and the vehicle used in the crime. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the concerned citizens that shared information of this crime that enabled us to make the arrest in this case. Additional arrest are expected in the near future
The photos shown are taken from surveillance camera footage recorded at the scene of a Residential Burglary which occurred yesterday (Wednesday, February 26th) at approximately 1:00 PM at the intersection of Stecker Road and Hiram Road. In the full video, the suspect is shown making forced entry into the residence and leaving with stolen property. Also shown in the video is the suspect arriving and leaving in what is believed to be a 1995 to 1999 Red Buick Rivera. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office at 501-362-8143.
Preliminary autopsy results from the Arkansas Crime Lab confirm the manner of death for Malinda G. McCready as suicide, from a single gunshot wound of the head.
At 3:31 PM, Sunday, February 17th Deputies from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of gun shots fired in the area of 1132 Fox Chase Drive in Heber Springs. Officers arrived on the scene at 3:58 PM and discovered the body of 37 year old Melinda Gayle McCready on the front porch of the residence at 1132 Fox Chase. Ms. McCready was pronounced dead at the scene from what appears to be a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. At this time family members have been notified of the incident. Ms. Mcready will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy and the matter will be fully investigated.