A Baxter County was arrested after allegedly stealing a pickup truck and burglarizing a local business. Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says 26-year-old Joshua Michael Callaway of rural Mountain Home was charged with felony counts of commercial burglary, theft of property and criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.
According to Sheriff Montgomery, a man reported to his office Saturday his 1999 Ford F-250, valued at nearly $6,500, was stolen. The owner suspected Callaway due to events that transpired the evening before at a Gamaliel resort.
The victim later recovered his vehicle after he arranged to meet Callaway through a third part at a location in Buford. The owner says he saw Callaway walking down the roadway when he arrived in the Buford area, and he then saw another man pull up in the truck and turn into a private driveway. After the owner took possession of his truck, he contacted the sheriff's office and stated he found Winchester 12-gauge shotgun shells and a grey hoodie in his truck, and the items were taken into evidence.
Corporal Krisofer Savino located Callaway later Saturday and questioned him about the alleged vehicle theft. According to the sheriff, Callaway admitted to stealing the truck and was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.
Prior to the truck being reported stolen, the sheriff's office received an alarm call at a business on Highway 62 east of Mountain Home at around 4:30 Saturday morning. The business owner was already on the scene when Deputy Craig Gates arrived, and it was discovered forced entry was made into the business through the front door. Video camera surveillance showed an individual wearing a grey hoodie in the business for nearly 30 seconds before leaving, but it appeared nothing was stolen. Deputy Gates located 12-gauge shotgun shells behind the building, and it was later determined they matched the shells recovered from the stolen truck. Callaway was interviewed by investigators Monday morning and admitted to breaking into the business.
Bond for Callaway was set at $15,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court.
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