Two men arrested in Gravette May 7

GRAVETTE -- A 25-year-old Rogers man was arrested in Gravette on May 7 after officers responded to a call concerning a suspicious vehicle at the abandoned Gravette Manor Nursing Home building on West Dallas Street.

William Lee Lackie, 25, was arrested and is being held in Benton County jail for allegedly breaking and entering, a felony; and possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft of scrap metal, all misdemeanors.

According to Gravette Police Chief Andrew Bower, Officer Jack Sanders, accompanied by a back-up unit from Sulphur Springs Police Department, responded to the call about 1:30 in the afternoon.

The officers found an SUV backed up, out of sight, at a side door of the building. Several filing cabinets were observed in the vehicle.

A male subject, carrying a flashlight, was detained and, upon questioning, admitted to taking the cabinets and several other items. He was unable to tell officers who owned the building.

Contact was made with the building's owner, Donna Mayhue, who said she had not given permission. She also said she wanted to press charges.

During inventory of the vehicles, about four ounces of suspected marijuana, a smoking device and the remains of rolled, burnt cigarettes, were discovered, the chief said.

Lackie was booked into the Benton County Jail. His bond was set at $2,500.

Another Wednesday Arrest

Shortly after noon that same day, May 7, Officer Chuck Skaggs, accompanied by a Benton County probation officer, made contact with a Gravette man identified as Justin Sheppard, 36, as part of an investigation concerning a burglary reported on April 28 at Glenn Duffy Elementary School.

During the interview, because of Sheppard's alleged state-of-mind, Officer Skaggs discovered several pills which he suspected to be a prescription medication in an unlabeled pill bottle. This led to Sheppard's arrest for possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor. He was taken to Benton County Jail where he was being held without bond on a parole violation.

According to Chief Bower, the investigation into the original burglary is "ongoing and continuing."

General News on 05/14/2014