Two Izard County residents are facing separate charges for a related theft case.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on November 7 deputies with the Izard County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) responded to a call for service in the 900 block of West Tri Lakes Drive in Horseshoe Bend in reference to an alleged theft of property. After arriving on scene, deputies spoke with the complainant and victim who advised he and his wife owned the residence and were in the process of remodeling it, but they had not been to the residence in approximately three weeks.
The victim stated whomever gained entry into the residence had stolen numerous items, including all of the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room cabinetry, living room furniture, kitchen appliances, counter tops, light fixtures, interior doors and numerous tools.
Through investigative efforts, 55-year-old Lee Raymond Hagen was identified by the Izard County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division as a person of interest in the case. Hagen is said to be a convicted felon and is currently on felony probation under active supervision with Arkansas Community Corrections. A review of Hagen’s criminal history revealed he had been convicted of numerous theft related crimes previously and lived in close proximity to the residence in which the victim’s property had been stolen.
On Nov. 9, investigators conducted a home visit on Hagen and observed numerous items believed to be stolen from the victim’s residence. In efforts to confirm the property was stolen, investigators visited the victim’s residence and compared photographs of items in Hagen’s basement to cabinetry still in the residence. After returning to Hagen’s residence it was revealed authorities found two clear glass smoking devices in the bedroom and a glass smoking device was found next to a purse belonging to 42-year old Corrine Michelle Lower who was also present at the time of the home visit.
Both Hagen and Lower were taken into custody and transported to the Izard County Detention Center. A comprehensive search of Hagen’s residence resulted in a substantial amount of stolen property being recovered including four kitchen base cabinets with counter tops and double stainless steel kitchen sink with faucet; one bathroom vanity cabinet with countertop and vanity sink with faucet; one stainless steel kitchen sink without faucet; 11 other pieces of matching cabinetry; two pieces of countertop; six doors; an oven; an air compressor; a small stainless steel sink with faucet; an exterior light fixture; a reclining couch, and a reclining chair. The items were transported to the ICSO for evidence processing.
Upon authorities arrival to the ICSO it was learned during the booking process numerous prohibited articles were discovered on Lower including drug paraphernalia, a razor blade and clear plastic baggies containing white crystalline residue. Lower allegedly smuggled the items into the detention center inside a small metal container stored in her person.
Investigators note the cumulative value of the stolen property recovered is between $5,000 and $25,000.
Hagen was charged with felony counts of theft by receiving and possession of drug paraphernalia and a habitual offender enhancement, while Lower was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia and a felony count of furnishing, possessing, delivering prohibited articles.
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