A Calico Rock man was arrested on numerous charges after fleeing from Izard County authorities into Southern Baxter County in a stolen vehicle.
On February 10th at approximately 3:01 PM, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen truck and trailer, a 1997 Dodge truck and 22 ft. gooseneck trailer, from a residence on Push Mountain Road. The owner of the vehicle later saw his truck being driven on Bosswell Road in Izard County and identified the driver as Lewie Branscum. Later that same day, Branscum was seen again in the Calico Rock area in the truck, but without the trailer being pulled behind. The trailer was later found abandoned by the U. S. Forestry Service on Twin Creek Road in Baxter County.
Earlier in the morning of February 10th, at around 1:00 AM, the Mountain Home Police Department had taken a suspicious person complaint involving a man coming to someone’s door asking for fuel. The Mountain Home Police Department located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled and escaped. It was later determined that the vehicle in question had been stolen from Izard County, but that was not known at the time.
February 11th, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office located the truck that had been stolen in Baxter County, driven by Branscum, and attempted to make a stop on it. Izard County deputies pursued Branscum on Culp Road (Baxter CR 73) into Baxter County. Branscum then turned on Baxter CR 74 and continued to flee. Baxter County deputies responded to the area upon learning of this pursuit at around 10:41 AM. Sheriff’s Corporal Craig Kocka stopped on Baxter CR 74, concealed his vehicle, and deployed spike strips across the roadway, waiting for Branscum to drive by in the stolen vehicle. A short time later, Branscum approached at high speed and struck the spike strips with both front tires. Branscum continued to drive and was followed by Corporal Kocka. Branscum attempted to turn South on Push Mountain Road but was unable to make the turn due to both front tires being flat and off the rims. Corporal Kocka was then able to take Branscum into custody without further incident.
Lewie Branscum was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on Baxter County Sheriff’s charges of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Theft of Property (Trailer), Reckless Driving, Invalid Driver License, Disregarding Stop Sign, and Habitual Offender.
Branscum also had an outstanding felony warrant from Izard County and also faces additional new charges in Izard County, along with charges from the Mountain Home Police Department, as well. He has a $25,000 bond on the Baxter County charges and will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court at a later date.
