Elmer Lewie Branscum was a teenager when he picked up his first felony charge.
The 39-year-old Branscum, who lists an address in Calico Rock, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court on March 10 and pled not guilty to new felony charges in this county.
He is accused of stealing a vehicle and then fleeing from authorities after being spotted with the stolen truck and trailer several times.
The incident began when sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a stolen truck and trailer at an address on Push Mountain Road February 10.
The truck was later spotted on Bosswell Road in Izard County with Branscum driving. It was then seen in Calico Rock minus the trailer.
The trailer was found abandoned by the U.S. Forest Service in Baxter County.
When Izard County deputies spotted the truck on February 11, they began to pursue the vehicle. Baxter County deputies joined the chase and spike strips were deployed on County Road 74. Branscum hit the spikes at a high-speed blowing out both front tires and causing him to lose control of the truck. The chase ended with his arrest.
Court records show that Branscum has had a total of 22 criminal cases opened on him in Baxter, Cleburne, Izard and Stone Counties. The first two case on Branscum were opened in July 2004 in Izard County and the last one in February. In his first case, Branscum was charged with multiple counts of forgery and one count of terroristic threatening.
Charges filed against Branscum have included theft of property, residential burglary, forgery, theft by receiving, being a felon in possession of a weapon, fleeing, possession of drugs, aggravated assault of a first responder, terroristic threatening and domestic battery.
Many of the cases contain multiple counts.
He has also been charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon at least three times. At one point, Branscum was placed in a rehab facility in Newport. He was enrolled in a 12-month program but lasted only four months.
According to a letter written by staff at the treatment facility, Branscum was kicked out for not following the rules and for physically threatening staff and other clients.
Branscum has been locked up in the Baxter County jail since February 11 with bond set at $36,000.
His most recent charges in Baxter County include two counts of theft of property, theft by receiving, fleeing, violating parole, being a habitual criminal and a host of misdemeanor traffic offenses.
He has active cases in Izard County including one in which he is alleged to have stolen a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe belonging to his brother February 8.
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