Mountain Home, AR – The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people Saturday morning, June 12th, after deputies responded to a report of a probable burglary in progress at an unoccupied residence on Clay Mountain Lane. At approximately 7:01 AM, a report was received indicating that a vehicle was at residence that did not belong there and that a man had pried open the door to the house with a shovel. Two women were said to be with him.
Deputies responded and found a gold Mercury sedan in the driveway and made contact with the people there. The male was identified as MICHAEL P. HOWARD, showing an address in White Hall, Arkansas but formerly of Mountain Home. The women were identified as STACI SMITH and CHRISTINA WALTERS, both of Mountain Home.
As deputies began questioning the suspects, MICHAEL HOWARD fled on foot into the woods, where he was captured approximately thirty minutes later.
Deputies found that entry had been gained into the residence. The vehicle that the suspects were in was loaded with bags and items that were believed to have come from inside the home. Once inside, deputies found that doors and drawers were open, and boxes were in the process of being filled. The vehicle belonged to HOWARD.
All three suspects were arrested and taken to the Baxter County Detention Center where they were booked on charges as follows:
MICHAEL P. HOWARD, 40 years of age and with 59 previous bookings at the Baxter County Detention Center, charged with:
Residential Burglary – Felony
Fleeing on Foot – Misdemeanor
Habitual Offender – Penalty Enhancement
CHRISTINA M. WALTERS, 39 years of age and with 2 previous bookings at the Baxter County Detention Center, charged with:
Residential Burglary – Felony
STACY L. SMITH, 33 years of age and with 40 previous bookings at the Baxter County Detention Center, charged with:
Residential Burglary – Felony
Each of them are being held in custody in lieu of $25,000 each, and they will appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer later this month.
