A suspect is in custody following a series of burglaries in Calico Rock, and one business caught fire. Thirty-year-old James Statler was booked Sunday into the Izard County Detention Facility on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts with his bond set at $30,000.
According to an affidavit filed Monday, an Izard County sergeant was dispatched early Sunday morning to a business that was broken into at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 56 and 223 in Calico Rock. He met a deputy who had cleared the building and located fresh blood on a shelf just inside the broken door. The deputy then pointed next door to a chiropractic clinic, and its glass door was also broken with blood on it. A rock was located in the first business also with blood on it. Blood samples were collected at both businesses.
Izard County Dispatch again contacted the sergeant and stated fire personnel were en route to a Calico Rock antique shop located on Highway 56 near Highway 5 after it caught fire. Another sergeant responded and reported the door was kicked in, and some trash was set on fire. In addition, a used car dealership next door to the antique shop had its glass door kicked in. A pickup truck on the lot also had its passenger side glass broken.
The sergeant responding to the fire was called to a suspicious vehicle on Chessman Ferry Road later Sunday morning. He attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the vehicle fled. The vehicle crashed a short time later, and the suspect identified as Statler was taken into custody with cuts and blood on his hand and shirt.
Law enforcement located a new barbecue grill near the vehicle with a grocery store sales tag. Other items were also located inside the vehicle. Video surveillance was later observed at the grocery store in Calico Rock in which an SUV and an individual dressed like Statler reportedly pulled into the parking lot and loaded the vehicle with the items earlier that morning.
Statler is facing two felony counts of commercial burglary, three felony counts of breaking or entering, five misdemeanor counts of theft of property and a misdemeanor count of first-degree criminal mischief.
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