Luke Patterson, a former Yellville resident, was sentenced to three years in prison during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday after pleading no contest to the theft of tools from a former employer and an automobile engine from a storage unit along Buzzard Roost Road.
The 36-year-old Patterson was recently brought back to Baxter County from Virginia to face the charges.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen 1989 Ford Mustang engine and other vehicle parts from a storage unit along Buzzard Roost Road in early January. The victim told investigators only three people, including Patterson, knew he had the storage unit. He said he believed Patterson was involved in the theft because he had seen pictures of engine parts he believed to be his on Facebook, and he recognized the garage where the parts were photographed as being used by Patterson and another person.
The missing items were valued at $4,500.
In the other criminal case, Patterson was charged with stealing power tools from a business along State Highway 201 South during a time he was employed by the business.
According to the probable cause affidavit in the case, the thefts from the business took place between February 1st and early March.
Some of Patterson’s activities were recorded by surveillance cameras at the business.
In addition to prison time, Patterson was ordered to pay restitution of $4,500 in the auto engine theft and $740 in the power tools case.
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