Gravette woman burglarizes home, is reported and caught by police

GRAVETTE - A mileand-a-half foot chase through woods and along the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks ended with the arrest of a Gravette woman last Wednesday morning, Nov.17.

Gravette officers, Patrolman Jeff Turner and School Resource Officer Charles Skaggs responded to assist Benton County Sheriff’s deputies investigating a burglary in progress at 11987 Limekiln Road shortly before 8 a.m.

According to a release by Gravette Chief Trent Morrison, the officers arrived at the scene and were advised the suspect had left the residence and had fled on foot into the woods behind the residence.

Officers Turner and Skaggs pursued the suspect on foot through the wooded area and along the KCS tracks before finally apprehending her about one-quarter milenorth of the Spavinaw Creek bridge.

Officers recovered a bag which the subject had apparently tried to hide and, according to Morrison, items believed taken from the residence were recovered.

The woman, identified as Kimberly Leemasters, 40, was turned over to Benton County Sheriff’s deputies who had arrived at the scene and had assisted. Gravette Police Lieutenant David Smith and School Resource Officer Speed Estep also assisted with the pursuit and apprehension of the subject, the police chief said.

Leemasters was booked at Benton County Jail to await a bond hearing on felony charges of residential burglary and a misdemeanor charge of theft of property.

The occupant of the residence outside the city limits was not at home, according to the report. A neighbor noticed the activity and called 911.

News, Pages 12 on 11/24/2010