Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Three Charged With Incident At Local CB Shop

A repossession attempt turned into an altercation with three people being charged.

According to Jim Westmoreland, criminal investigator for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Prescott Police Department, Robert Conner, 42, of Queen City, Texas, who operates the American Music Exchange in Texarkana, went to the CB Shop at Exit 44 Monday, March 25.

He had gone to repossess some musical equipment purchased by Don Whisenhunt, the son of the CB Shop's owners.

After Conner had taken the equipment from the store, an altercation ensued near his van.

Carolyn Mullins alleged Conner pulled a 9mm handgun on her and her husband, Mike.

However, Conner said Mrs. Mullins slammed his van door into his chest as he was getting ready to leave the scene.

The NCSO was notified of the incident, and contacted the Arkansas State Police as Conner had already left the scene. PPD Chief Willie Latin and officer Kristi Hillery were the first officers to respond to the call.

ASP Cpl. Tim Land and Trooper Darren Neal pulled Conner's van over between exits 30 and 31 on Interstate 30 shortly thereafter.

The officers found a 9mm handgun and a hunting-style knife in the van. Both weapons were kept as evidence.

Conner was charged with first degree assault and disorderly conduct. Carolyn Mullins was ticketed with third degree battery and disorderly conduct. Mike Mullins was cited for disorderly conduct.

A burglary at the Lee's Auto Parts Store near the Morris Community on Highway 299 has been solved. In fact, the case was solved the same day the crime was committed.

Westmoreland said the parts store, owned by Walter Lee, was burglarized early Tuesday morning, March 26.

Entry into the business was gained through a back door. Cigarettes, soft drinks, candy and .22 shells were taken in the theft.

By Tuesday night, Westmoreland said, two juveniles had been arrested and face charges in the incident. The teens are 14 and 15, and were from Laneburg.

They could be charged with commercial burglary, a felony offense, and theft of property, a misdemeanor.

Most of the merchandise taken was recovered.

The two will be charged in juvenile court at a later date.

In a two-week span of time, there have been two burglaries of cabins in the Suckles Lake area.

The most recent burglary was of Bill and Jean Jones' cabin Thursday, March 28.

Westmoreland said the cabin was entered after a window air conditioning unit was removed, and later stolen. Other items taken include a videocassette recorder, microwave oven and lawn mower.

Less than two weeks earlier, on March 17, Bobby Arney's cabin was broken into.

Again, the burglar(s) gained entry by removing a window air conditioner, which was also stolen from the scene. Two televisions, a 12-foot fishing boat and a smoker/cooker were taken from the Arney cabin.

"We're following leads on this," Westmoreland said, adding the NCSO's investigation continues in the case.