MH man returns to running vehicle to find stranger in the driver’s seat

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Photo: Mark Anthony Lewis

A Mountain Home man who exited his home Friday morning to return to his running vehicle in the driveway was surprised to find a stranger in the driver’s seat.

According to an incident report from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy and an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper responded to a residence along West Road to a report of a vehicle theft in progress.

The caller advised he caught the offender, later identified as 29-year-old Mark Anthony Lewis, in his truck attempting to pull out of the driveway.

Lewis reportedly would not provide his name to the responding ASP trooper. His identity was determined through the use of a fingerprint scanner. Lewis pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia in October and was placed on five years probation.

The victim told law enforcement when he exited his home, Lewis allegedly attempted to leave in the truck.

Lewis had reportedly placed a tarp in the back of the truck, telling the victim he found it in his garden and thought it needed cleaning.

The victim said after confronting Lewis, the Mountain Home man exited the truck and started walking toward town.

A witness to the incident is a bus driver with Mountain Home Public Schools.

He told the trooper Lewis allegedly attempted to board his bus. He said he believed Lewis was under the influence and called the Mountain Home Police Department.

He said three officers responded, spoke with Lewis and let him go, with the Mountain Home man walking down West Road away from town.

Lewis was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center and has been charged with a felony count of theft of a motor vehicle and public intoxication. His bond was set at a$7,500.

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