Photo: Adam Wade Pinkston
An Izard County man has been arrested and charged in connection with thefts in Melbourne and Calico Rock. A meat smoker reported taken in Melbourne was located in plain view in the yard outside the home of 49-year-old Adam Wade Pinkston.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office reviewed footage of a suspect and his vehicle involved in a theft at a Melbourne business.
The investigators were able to identify the vehicle as strongly resembling one missing its front bumper and registered to Pinkston. A vehicle matching the description was witnessed during a traffic stop in late December where Pinkston was questioned following a complaint of suspicious behavior in Mount Pleasant. The suspect in the video also matched Pinkston’s general description.
The investigators also realized the suspect and his vehicle matched footage of a previous theft at a Calico Rock business. The video reveals a man matching Pinkston’s description rummaging through different areas and structures of the business where tools and equipment were stored.
Two sets of scuba diving equipment and a chainsaw were reported missing from the business.
A search warrant was obtained for Pinkston’s residence, located only Jay Street in Melbourne. When officers arrived to execute the warrant and saw the meat smoker in the yard, Pinkston reportedly said he had receipts for all items on his property. He then said he did not have the receipt for the smoker and maintained he had removed it from the trash.
Investigators also reported locating scuba gear and a chainsaw matching the descriptions and serial numbers of the items taken in Calico Rock. Several other items were found in the residence baring potential victims’ names and initials that do not match those of the suspect.
Further investigation led investigators to link the items to three additional victims who own or lease hunting property in Mount Pleasant.
On a night stand, a small container holding a white-colored crystalline substance and several glass smoking devices were also located.
Pinkston has been charged with felony counts of
Maintaining a drug premises, a Class B felony;
Commercial burglary, a Class C felony;
Theft of property, a Class D felony;
Criminal trespass (two counts), Class D felonies;
Possession of a controlled substance, Class D felony;
Possession of drug paraphernalia, ,Class D felony;
Theft of property, Class A misdemeanor; and
Theft by receiving (three counts), Class A misdemeanors.
Bond for Pinkston was set at $40,000.
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