PEA RIDGE — Two people were in custody Monday and authorities were looking for a third suspect in connection with a home invasion near Pea Ridge early Monday morning, according to the Benton County Sheriff ’s Office.
Cody Shane DeShields, 21, of 13 Holly Dr., Bella Vista, and Whitney Michelle Lane, 23, of 805 S.W. Crystal St., Bentonville, were in the Benton County Jail Tuesday in connection with the break-in,according to jail logs.
Authorities are looking for a third man, Christopher Thomas Austin, 23.
Deputies responded at 1:30 a.m. Sunday to a call at 15523 Mariano Rd., according to a news releasefrom the sheriff’s office. A caretaker at the residence reported two men and a woman broke into the residence and held him at gunpoint while they stole guns and other items.
“The kid was house-sitting for the homeowner and apparently the three had been out earlier in the day using the pool,” said Capt. Mike Sydoriak, head of the sheriff ’s office Criminal Investigation Division. “Sometime during the day, they got the idea to go back and rob him.”
The caretaker gave police the descriptions of the three as a white man, a white woman and a black man driving a gray Nissan X-Terra SUV, according to Deputy Doug Gay, publicinformation officer.
Deputies received a call about 2 a.m. of a shooting victim in Centerton, according to a news release.
DeShields told authorities he was shot while playing basketball. He was treated at a local hospital and released to deputies. Lane was with DeShields at the time of the arrest.
Details of the shooting are sketchy, Sydoriak said, because investigators have yet to find where the incident took place.
“The girl told us the man took her vehicle without her permission,” Sydoriak said. “She said she didn’t know him that well and had no idea where he’s gone.”
DeShields was being held in connection with aggravated robbery Tuesday on a $75,000 bond.
Lane was being held in connection with aggravated robbery and revocation of a suspended sentence or probation Tuesday on a $75,000 bond.
Deputies said Austin should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police described him as a black man, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He has a tattoo of the word “Life” on his left hand, a tattoo reading “R&B” on his right hand, a tattoo reading “Young Red” on his right shoulder and “K’s” tattooed on his right forearm.
Anyone with information on Austin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement, the Benton County Sheriff ’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 271-1009 or the sheriff ’s office Web site tip line.
Also, residents can call or text Northwest Arkansas Crime Stoppers at 790-8477 for a possible reward of up to $1,000, according to the sheriff ’s office.
News, Pages 7 on 08/04/2010