Joseph Cruz and Christine Johnson (Photo courtesy of Izard County Sheriff’s Office)
Two Horseshoe Bend residents are in the Izard County Detention Center after stolen items and drugs were located at their home. Bond is set at $50,000 for 40-year-old Joseph Cruz and $10,000 for 59-year-old Christine Johnson.
According to the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy took a report Tuesday of burglary, theft and criminal mischief at a residence at Scenic Acres in Horseshoe Bend. The victim stated he had been out of the area for a while and returned to find his house broken into and items missing. The ceiling had allegedly been ripped down with the copper wiring and copper plumping fixtures missing, and the air conditioner was torn apart.
The deputy spoke with neighbors who reportedly observed Cruz with a blanket, positively identified by the victim, over his head. One witness, who provided security camera footage, alleged Cruz appeared to have copper pipes and parts of an air conditioner in his hands. A check of records from local salvage yards reportedly showed Cruz had sold copper and items matching parts from an air conditioner on July 12.
The victim contacted deputies again on Wednesday and stated the suspect had come back and was caught on camera taking more items. A short time later, investigators observed Cruz standing near another residence on Scenic Circle in close proximity to the victim’s house. As he was detained, investigators reportedly observed, in plain sight, items Cruz was seen carrying in the surveillance photos. They could also smell a strong odor of marijuana at the residence.
A search warrant was issued for the residence owned by Johnson. Several items reported stolen from the victim were recovered, and marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were also located inside the home.
Cruz is charged with two counts of residential burglary, theft of property, theft of a firearm, criminal mischief, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug premises and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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