A Baxter County man, 43-year-old John Rowland of Mountain Home, has been arrested after he allegedly stole items from his former employer and then sold them.According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident began when the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in locating an individual who had attempted to sell and have a compound bow repaired. The bow had been stolen from a Missouri residence.
The individual had taken the bow to an archery shop in Baxter County, where the owner of the business recognized it as one he had sold in the past. The shop owner contacted the original purchaser and told him someone had brought the bow in for repair.
When contacted, the individual with possession of the bow came to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office. He told the investigator he had purchased the bow from Rowland for $150. After he took possession of the bow, the string came loose, and he took it to the Mountain Home shop for repair. He said he also purchased a 10/22 rifle and an air powered brad nail gun from Rowland.
Through the investigation, officers learned Rowland had pawned two firearms and another bow at a Mountain Home business.
Contact with the victim revealed he was indeed missing the pawned items taken from his Baxter County business. He also said he was missing a generator.
When questioned, Rowland allegedly admitted he had gone to his former employer’s property in Ozark County, taken items and brought them to Baxter County, including those located at the pawn shop. He said he sold the generator to an individual for $500 or $600.
Rowland is charged with three felony counts each of theft by receiving and theft of property. His bond was set at $20,000, and he is set to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
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