A West Plains man on probation for felony theft is in custody after deputies recovered multiple stolen firearms in two separate incidents reported Thursday, July 24.
According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Brandon D. Barnes responded around 12:54 p.m. to a report of stolen firearms at a residence on County Road 6410. The homeowner told deputies that several guns were missing from the property, including a 30-30 Winchester lever-action rifle, a .243 caliber Savage rifle, a 20-gauge Mossberg shotgun, and two .22 caliber rifles.
The victim identified Dylan Dalton, a known acquaintance and convicted felon, as the suspected thief. Dalton had reportedly been involved in a prior uncharged incident involving stolen firearms.
Later that same day, the victim contacted authorities again to report that Dalton had returned to his business with several of the stolen firearms. Deputies responded and found Dalton in possession of four rifles matching the victim’s description. He was taken into custody without incident.
During the arrest, deputies also recovered a purple glass pipe containing a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. The recovered firearms included:
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A 20-gauge Mossberg Maverick shotgun
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A .22 caliber Winchester bolt-action rifle
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A 30-30 Winchester lever-action rifle
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A .17 caliber Savage B-Mag bolt-action rifle
The .17 caliber rifle was not claimed by the original victim, but later that evening, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Howell County Sergeant Seth Smith responded to a second report of a firearm theft from a vehicle parked near U.S. Highway 160 in West Plains. The victim in that case reported a shattered driver-side window and the theft of a Savage .17 caliber rifle with his initials engraved on it — the same rifle found in Dalton’s possession earlier.
Authorities confirmed the second firearm theft occurred between the location of the earlier residential burglary and the business where Dalton was arrested.
During questioning, Dalton admitted to entering the residence and taking the firearms but claimed it was part of a mutual arrangement. However, he also admitted he did not have permission to enter the home.
Dalton was booked at the Howell County Jail and held on a 24-hour hold pending charges. On July 25, a warrant was issued charging him with:
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Three counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Class C Felony)
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Burglary in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)
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Stealing a Firearm (Class D Felony)
He is currently being held on $25,000 bond.
Dalton was arrested in June after fleeing from police: https://www.ozarkradionews.com/local-news/west-plains-police-makes-arrest-after-suspect-flees-on-foot
