Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

CCSO solves burglaries

Four men have been arrested by the Clark County Sheriff's Office in connection with a rash of burglaries around the county.

According to a release from the CCSO, Michael Whisenhunt, 27, of Arkadelphia, was arrested for the theft of a lawn tractor and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) from a residence.

The lawn tractor was recovered from someone other than Whisenhunt, while the ATV was found in Okolona, at someone else's home.

Whisenhunt is expected to be charged with two counts of breaking or entering, a class D felony, and theft of property, a class C felony.

Raymond Walter Sims, Jr., 18, of San Diego, Calif., was arrested for burglaries committed in Gurdon.

These burglaries occurred between June 19-24.

According to the release, numerous items were stolen in the burglaries, most of which have been recovered by the CCSO and Gurdon Police Department.

Sims has been charged with three counts of commercial burglary, a class C felony, and four counts of theft of property, also a class C felony.

Sims is being held in the Clark County Detention Center, pending his appearance in court.

Along with Sims, a 17-year-old Gurdon youth has been arrested in conjunction with the burglaries. He has been charged with the same offenses.

In addition, Andrew Bell, 20, of Gurdon, was arrested on the same charges at the other two and is being held in jail pending his appearance in court.

William Michael Lewis, 20, of Gum Springs was arrested in connection with a residential burglary on Ross Road.

Several firearms were taken in the burglary, some, though, have been recovered by the CCSO.

Lewis has been formally charged with residential burglary, a class B felony, and one count of theft of property, also a class B felony.

He is being held in the Clark County jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

A second person, Brian McCain, 25, of Prescott, was also arrested in connection with this burglary. He has been charged with the same offenses and is also being held in the Clark County jail awaiting his court appearance.

Jason Aaron Scott, 21, of Cotton Valley, La., was arrested after officers learned of his connection to a residential burglary on Highway 8 West near Arkadelphia.

Jewelry, electronic equipment, tools and clothing were stolen in the theft, and have been recovered by the CCSO.

Scott has been charged with one count of residential burglary and theft of property.

According to the report, a second individual is expected to be charged in this crime as well.