Benton County deputies recover stolen property

ATVs found in Garfield

 Casey Lee Butler Casey Lee Butler Casey Lee Butler
Casey Lee Butler Casey Lee Butler Casey Lee Butler

From Staff Reports

Garfield Mayor Gary Blackburn said a neighbor notified him last October about all-terrain vehicles parked on his property in the rural area of northeast Benton County. The discovery of those ATVs initiated an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Office that resulted in several arrests this past week.

"I have to give the deputies credit," Blackburn said recently. "They really, thoroughly searched the property."

Three men were arrested in connection with a theft ring after Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies recovered more than $150,000 in stolen property, according to a news release.

Casey Lee Butler, 33, of Pea Ridge, was charged with two counts of altering or changing engine numbers, criminal trespass, four counts of felony theft by receiving, felony theft of property and felony parole violation. He was still in the Benton County Jail Tuesday in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Jason Edward Childress, 33, of Rogers, was charged with accomplice to theft of property, altering or changing engine number, two counts of felony theft of property, felony parole violation and a failure to appear from Rogers. He was still incarcerated in lieu of a $50,000 bond Tuesday.

Marion Wise, 45, of Cave Springs, was arrested for driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, eight counts of felony second-degree forgery; felony parole violation; reckless driving; four counts of theft by deception; four counts of theft by receiving; criminal trespass and felony theft of property. He was being held Tuesday in lieu of $30,000 bonds.

Brandon Warren Schlieff, 29, and Ronnie Mesch Jr., 34, are wanted in connection with the crime, and the case is still being investigated, according to the release. Hometowns for Schlieff and Mesch weren't listed by the Sheriff's Office.

An investigation began in October after seven Polaris RZR all-terrain vehicles -- each valued at $25,000 -- were stolen from Freedom Power Sports in Rogers. A confidential informant told deputies Butler planned to steal the ATVs, according to police report.

Butler and Mesch cut a fence at Freedom Power Sports and loaded the ATVs onto a trailer driven by Childress, according to the report.

Other stolen items recovered included an air compressor, two pickup trucks, one stolen out of Anderson, Mo., and the other from Barry County, Mo., according to the probably cause affidavit.

General News on 02/24/2016