Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Thief suspect confesses

Two Gurdon men were arrested Feb. 15 on charges of breaking into a local shop building and selling the stolen goods back to its owner.

Coby Lee Deaton, 27, of 205 E. Beech St., Gurdon, was arrested on one count of breaking or entering  a class D felony  and one count of theft of property  a class C felony.

James Earl Holliman, 41, of Gurdon, was arrested on one count of theft by receiving  a class C felony.

Court records indicate that on Nov. 20, Deaton broke into the shop building and stole items that belonged to the shops owner.

On Dec. 17, the shop owner reported to a criminal investigator that a chainsaw, a nail gun, a compound bow and a custom-made knife were among the items stolen from his shop.

The shop owner stated that on Dec. 15 he had located the knife at a pawnshop in Arkadelphia, and reportedly stated that the knife was traced back to Gary Deaton. The

shop owner heard that he, Gary Deaton, had obtained the knife from Holliman.

On Dec. 25, the shop reportedly owner told the criminal investigator that he received word that Holliman had the bow and had wanted to sell it.

Only two days later, the investigator received word from another source, who was at Hollimans residence, that Holliman wanted to sell a bow for $200, and the he knew that the bow had been stolen.

On Jan. 9, the shop owner told authorities that Coby Deaton had approached him with knowledge of the bows whereabouts. Deaton reportedly told the shop owner

that, if he were to pay $200, he could get the bow back. The shop owner paid Deaton and received his bow.

Deaton approached the shop owner again Jan. 25 regarding the chainsaws whereabouts, and reportedly told him that he could get the chainsaw back if he were to pay $100. The shop owner paid the $100 and soon received the chainsaw.

Court records indicate that Deaton would not reveal who had the chainsaw.

Clark County criminal investigators conducted an interview with Deaton Feb. 1 at the Gurdon Police Department. Deaton confessed to helping Holliman break into the shop building.

Court records indicate that Deaton and Holliman sold the chainsaw in exchange for a half ounce of marijuana and $35, and that Deaton bought back the chainsaw with the shop owners money.

If convicted on the breaking and entering charge, Deaton could face up to six years in prison and up to

a $10,000 fine. If convicted on the theft of property charge, he could face a prison sentence of 3-10 years

and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Deatons recommended bond was set for $25,000, and was released for $15,000.

If convicted on the theft by receiving charge, Holliman could face a prison sentence of 3-10 years

and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Hollimans recommended bond was set for $15,000.