A 21-year-old Mountain Home man, Joseph Robert Elders, and an 18-year-old Mountain Home woman, Lauren Kratochvil, have been arrested following the theft of jewelry from the home of relatives.
According to the arrest affidavit, Greg and Michelle Elders reported jewelry items valued at over $18,000 missing from their home to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office. From the report, Joseph Elders and Kratochvil were identified as possible suspects.
From a check of Leads on Line, a computer based search engine used for scrap yards and pawn shops, it was learned a ring had been sold at a local pawnshop in early March. According to the victims, the suspects had been at their home the day prior to the sale.
During their investigation, officers with the Sheriff’s Office met with Kratochvil who denied any involvement with the missing jewelry. Shortly after the conference with Kratochvil, the victim began receiving texts from Elders telling him where the jewelry was sold and a picture of the check made out to Kratochvil from a Jonesboro jewelry store. The store owner was able to pick Kratochvil from a photo lineup.
Through the texts, officers learned a third piece of jewely was sold in Conway. The store manager there had been able to copy Kratochvil’s driver’s license.
Joseph Elders and Lauren Kratochvil have each been charged with residential burglary and theft of property, both felony offenses. Bond was set at $5,000 each. They were booked and released the same day.
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