A Mountain Home man who had recently been placed on probation in a vehicle theft case is back in custody following a high-speed pursuit Monday night in a reported stolen vehicle that ended in a crash in rural Baxter County marking at least the third time he has been accused of taking a vehicle in recent months.
Twenty-six-year-old Kole Edward Brahm was taken into custody Monday after officers attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen earlier in the evening.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Mountain Home Police Department, officers observed a black Ford passenger car matching the description and license plate of a reported stolen vehicle near Ninth Street. When officers attempted to make contact after the vehicle entered Oak Tree Mobile Home Park, Brahm allegedly refused commands and fled.
Brahm drove recklessly through the mobile home park, traveling through yards and nearly striking multiple vehicles and objects before entering Ninth Street and heading west toward U.S. Highway 62.
The pursuit continued onto Highway 62 West, where speeds reportedly reached approximately 100 miles per hour. During the chase, Brahm allegedly ran a red light at Ninth Street and Highway 62 and nearly struck another vehicle near a Dodge dealership.
The pursuit was temporarily terminated due to communication issues but was later resumed after the vehicle was located by other law enforcement units.
Brahm ultimately wrecked the vehicle in the area of County Road 718. A crash report from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office indicates a fence at the location sustained an estimated $2,500 in damage.
Brahm was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center, where he is being held with bond set at $20,845.
He is facing charges of felony fleeing; theft by receiving involving property valued between $5,000 and $25,000, a Class C felony; reckless driving; driving on a license suspended or revoked for DWI; failure to maintain control; and second-degree criminal mischief involving damage of less than $1,000.
The vehicle, identified as a 2006 Ford passenger car valued at approximately $10,000, was recovered following the incident.
The arrest comes just weeks after Brahm was sentenced in a separate vehicle-related case in Baxter County Circuit Court.
PREVIOUS TROUBLE
On March 2, Brahm pled guilty to a reduced charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail and placed on probation for three years. He had originally been charged with theft of property in that case.
That case stemmed from an incident in late September and early October of last year when Brahm was reported to have taken a truck from a South Main Street address. According to the probable cause affidavit, he later showed up at the home of a former guardian and was found asleep in the stolen vehicle. When questioned by law enforcement, Brahm admitted to being in the truck but requested an attorney when asked about taking it.
In a separate but related incident, Brahm was also accused of removing sparkplugs from a motorcycle parked along Main Street. Witnesses reported seeing him taking parts before he fled the area. Officers later reported finding sparkplugs and a key to the stolen truck in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Brahm is also facing charges connected to another alleged vehicle theft from late December. According to court documents, he is accused of taking a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup from a Mountain Home business on December 28. Surveillance video reportedly shows Brahm walking around the area before entering the truck and driving away.
Authorities say Brahm told a witness at the scene the vehicle belonged to a friend and that he had permission to use it. He later denied taking the truck.
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