Left to right: Michael Howard, Staci Smith, Christina Walters
A report of a probable burglary Saturday morning led to the arrest of two Mountain Home women and a White Hall man. Forty-year-old Michael Howard, formerly of Mountain Home, 39-year-old Christina Walters and 33-year-old Staci Smith were each booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on a felony count of residential burglary.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, a report was received just after 7 a.m. of a vehicle at an unoccupied residence on Clay Mountain Lane that didn’t belong there, and a man had allegedly pried the door open to the residence with a shovel. Two women were reported to be with him.
Deputies responded, located the vehicle and made contact with three individuals identified as Howard, Smith and Walters. As the suspects were questioned, Howard allegedly fled on foot into the woods. He was captured nearly a half hour later.
Deputies discovered entry had been gained into the residence. The suspects’ vehicle was allegedly loaded with bags and items believed to have come from inside the residence. Once inside, deputies reportedly found open doors and drawers, and boxes were in the process of being filled. The vehicle belonged to Howard.
In addition to the burglary charge, Howard also faces a misdemeanor of fleeing on foot and a penalty enhancement as a habitual offender. Bond for all three suspects was set at $25,000 each. Walters has since been released.
Howard, Smith and Walters will all appear in Baxter County Circuit Court later this month.
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