Monticello Live

The Drew County Sheriff’s Office along with multiple surrounding agencies have been investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins throughout the area since around January 20.

The break-ins have primarily occurred with suspects entering vehicles left unlocked, with valuable property inside.

The incidents occurred in multiple counties and extended into Mississippi and Louisiana.

The first series of incidents started within Cleveland County and Rison, on January 21. Then the suspects moved to Drew County, hitting property along Highway 35 West. Approximately 11 vehicles were unlawfully entered and property stolen in Cleveland County. 2 more vehicles were unlawfully entered and property stolen from them in Drew County.

Through communication between Drew County, Cleveland County and Rison Police Department, it was believed that all thefts were related.

Property stolen consisted of guns, purses, wallets, hunting supplies, chain saws and electronic items. Most of the purses, wallets and electronics were located near the victims homes in the road ditches.

On Saturday, January 23, during the early morning hours the Drew County Sheriff’s Office received reports of approximately 5 vehicle break-ins, with property stolen.

Lt. Tim Nichols, of the Drew County Sheriff’s Office and Deputies began to investigate the thefts, and collect any evidence in which might have been beneficial to the cases. While investigating the incidents it was discovered that the motive appeared to be the same as those committed in Cleveland County and Drew County a couple nights prior. Purses were located not far from the homes of the owners in the road ditches along with other items, the suspects did not want.

Home Security video footage was gained through a neighbor of one of the victims in Drew County.

Lt. Nichols reviewed the footage, developing a suspect and a partial description of the vehicle involved in the crimes.

It was then discovered that Bradley County had also been hit by the same suspects. Potential evidence was collected throughout the next few days which consisted of more stolen property located in the road ditch, not far from the suspects residence along with a rubber glove in which was suspected to have been worn by on of the suspects.

On Tuesday, January 26, Lt. Nichols was contacted by Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office wanting to see if the suspects in an Attempted Aggravated Burglary video of theirs were known by the department due to them believing they were from this area. All four suspects (one of which was a juvenile) in the video was identified and the information was passed on to Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office.

One of the suspects in that video was the same as the one seen on the 23rd and two others in the video were also believed to have been part of the incidents in Arkansas.

Communication between all agencies involved at this point were advised of the situation and Drew, Cleveland and Morehouse agreed to meet the following morning here in Drew County, to try and round up the four known suspects.

On January 27, three of the four suspects were arrested and interviewed by Investigators about the crimes in which they were suspected of committing.

A large amount of stolen property from several jurisdictions was recovered. The fourth suspect who was avoiding apprehension later turned himself in to Lt. Nichols at the Drew County Sheriff’s Office on January 29.

After completing the interviews with known suspects it was discovered that areas of Ashley County, Chicot County and Greenville, Mississippi were also impacted by some of the suspects in the same way.

Communication has been going on between those areas as well as others as far as Saline County since the suspects can’t remember what property come from what vehicles and due to some of the property not being identified as stolen by the owners but being identified as being stolen by the suspects.

Known suspects who have been arrested are Jake Moore, Jarett Gray and Jonas Forrest, all 18 year old Monticello residents.

Two other suspects have been identified and interviewed but their cases will be heard in juvenile court for their Arkansas cases due to their age. One of the pair will face Adult charges in Louisiana, 17 is the adult age there.

At this time, Moore, Gray and Forrest are being held at the Drew County Detention Facility on three warrants, each. Drew County warrants are $50,000 a piece,
Cleveland County Warrants are NO BOND on each and Morehouse Parish Warrants are for $100,000 a piece.

The investigation is still ongoing and further information is being gathered in reference to the case’s and suspects.

Roughly Drew County has approximately 9 total vehicles unlawfully entered including City of Monticello, Cleveland County roughly has 14 vehicles unlawfully entered including Rison, Bradley County has roughly 3 vehicles unlawfully entered, Ashley County roughly has 4 vehicles unlawfully entered, Chicot County roughly has 2 (believed by suspects) vehicles unlawfully entered, Greenville, Ms has roughly 2 vehicles unlawfully entered, Morehouse Parish has roughly 1 vehicle unlawfully and one structure attempted. ***all vehicles listed also had property stolen***

The suspects believe they also made entry into some vehicles close to Benton (Saline County) and stole some property.

Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober would like to remind people to lock their doors and secure all property when possible.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2016 at 6:41 am and is filed under Site. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.