A 40-year-old Norfork man faces a trio of felony charges after he was reportedly arrested wearing the items he was accused of stealing. According to an incident report from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton Robert Moore was arrested and charged with residential burglary, breaking and entering of a vehicle and breaking and entering of a building structure. He was also charged with first-degree criminal mischief. Moore was arrested after authorities received a call of a “suspicious” activity at a residence on Hopewell Hollow Road last Sunday morning.
A 911 caller reported she thought someone was on her property, found some coveralls hanging on the porch and heard a garage door open and close. The caller also said her shed door was open, along with the doors to a pickup truck. While authorities were responding to the residence, the caller phoned 911 again and advised a second subject was outside, with the pair “waving at her” when she observed them.
Deputy Tracy Munson arrived on scene, heard noise in the shed and drew his weapon after receiving no reply to verbal instructions. A man, later identified as Moore, stepped out of the shed and greeted the deputy by saying, “Hello, how are you?”
The report indicates Moore was found wearing a brown ball cap, a large black trash bag over his body and a pair of muck boots. After being detained in handcuffs for safety reasons, Moore allegedly became argumentative, saying to Munson, “I have civil rights, so why am I being arrested?”
Moore went on to tell the deputy he had been at the residence since the previous night and was gathering property belonging to his uncle out of the shed. He then allegedly asked Munson, “Why would she call? We were here last night, ate a little and he started gathering things.” Moore began to ask the officer about where his wife was, saying she had been there with him. He repeated those inquiries several times during his transport to the Baxter County Detention Center.
The report says no indications of another person besides the caller and Moore were present on the property.
Officers conducted a walk through of the home with the caller, who said all that was amiss was a box of large black trash bags, and the only missing item was a pair of muck boots belonging to her husband. Authorities also discovered a pocket knife and some boots, along with the coveralls, that the caller said did not belong on the property.
While being booked into the jail, Moore advised jail staff the muck boots he was wearing did not belong to him.
Moore was released on a $25,000 bond on Monday afternoon, according to electronic court records.
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