Photo: John Dale Franks
An Oakland man, John Dale Franks, entered a guilty plea to charges stemming from the theft of a motorcycle in June 2018 during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
He was sentenced to 120 days in the Baxter County jail, with credit for time served, put on probation for five years and ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution.
The 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle was reported stolen Jun. 28 last year. The owner said he had been at the home of a friend when a man he knew only as “Little John” took off on the motorcycle.
The owner said he attempted to follow his motorcycle as it traveled toward Lakeview. A Bull Shoals Police officer, not knowing the motorcycle had been stolen, attempted to stop it for a traffic violation, but the driver – later identified as Franks – did not pull over.
Franks continued for some distance, until he reached a residence along Alford Street. When he attempted to turn into the driveway, the joy ride came to an abrupt end.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Franks hit some rocks and “laid the bike down.” He then attempted to flee on foot. Officers searched the Alford Street residence, but made no contact with Franks.
They returned to the home later the same day and found Franks standing outside. He fled on foot again when he saw officers, but was found a short time later hiding in a bush.
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