Phillip Randall Bartlett

Susan Michelle Busher

Michael Lindley

     Baxter County Sheriff’s Investigators have been consulting with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney concerning the filing of charges against 26 year old PHILLIP  RANDALL BARTLETT, last known address to be in Yellville, following his arrest Monday evening, May 26^th, on outstanding warrants and on multiple burglary, breaking or entering, and theft crimes that had been connected to him since April 24, 2014.  Investigators also arrested two other persons Tuesday afternoon, May 27^th, after serving a search warrant at 59 Hollow Ln. in rural Mountain Home that resulted in the recovery of some of the property that BARTLETT had stolen.  MICHAEL J. LINDLEY, 44 years of age, and SUSAN MICHELLE BUSHER, 41 years of age, both of 59 Hollow Ln., also remain in the Detention Center this morning.

     PHILLIP BARTLETT was finally arrested Monday evening near Walmart in Mountain Home, shortly after a manhunt had been called off.  An off duty Ranger with the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers was at Walmart in his personal vehicle and spotted BARTLETT nearby sitting under a tree.  The Ranger called the Sheriff’s Office by phone, and several officers responded.  BARTLETT was quickly taken into custody by an Arkansas State Police Trooper without further incident.

     PHILLIP BARTLETT was developed as the suspect in a series of break-ins and thefts that were reported to the Sheriff’s Office over a several week period of time, beginning April 24^th.  Law enforcement agencies had been attempting to locate him for some time.  There had been several sightings or possible sightings of BARTLETT, but he had eluded authorities until Monday evening.  BARTLETT had been staying and camping in the woods part of the time and had been concealed and hidden at 59 Hollow Ln by MICHAEL LINDLEY and SUSAN BUSHER part of the time.

     A review of incident reports indicates that BARTLETT was connected to the following reported crimes:

April 24, 2014.  At 1106 CR 28, a new home site was entered into.  Tools and various other items were stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Felony in connection with this incident.

May 10, 2014.  At 266 Stormy Ln, a residence was burglarized.  Garden tools, pots, pans, and a back pack were stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Residential Burglary – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 11, 2014.  At the Rocking Chair Resort on CR 763, a boat was entered into and items stolen therefrom.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 11, 2014.  At the Cranfield Marina, 2028 Cranfield Rd., a boat was entered and a battery charger stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 11, 2014.  At the Cranfield Marina, 2028 Cranfield Rd., another boat was entered into and several items stolen therefrom.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 11, 2014.  At the Cranfield Marina, 2028 Cranfield Rd., yet another boat was reported as having been entered and multiple items stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 11, 2014.  At a private dock at 273 CR 763, a 1993 Lundy boat and motor was stolen, valued at $3,000.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Felony in connection with this incident.

May 12, 2014.  At a private dock at 245 Shoreline Dr., a boat was entered into and batteries and other items stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 12, 2014.  At the Cranfield Marina, 2028 Cranfield Rd., it was reported that still another boat had been entered into and items stolen.  In addition, damage was caused to the boat.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony, one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor, and one count of Criminal Mischief – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 12, 2014.  At the Buzzard Roost Marina, it was reported that a boat had been entered and items stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 14, 2014.  At 1246 Pioneer Trail Drive, a 2011 Arctic Cat ATV with a value of $10,000 and a 2010 Arctic Cat Prowler with a value of $8,000 were reported stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Residential Burglary – Felony, one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony, one count of Theft of Property – Felony, and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor.  These vehicles were later recovered in the woods not far from the victim’s residence.

May 16, 2014.  At a private dock at 269 Shoreline Dr., it was reported that a boat had been entered and several items, including rods, reels, and paddles were stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 17, 2014.  At 208 Jade Ln., a residence was broken into and items, including a Gipson guitar, were stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Residential Burglary – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 23, 2014.  At a private dock at 67 Crestview Rd, it was reported that a boat had been entered into and battery stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor. 

May 26, 2014.  At 115 Sunrise Ridge Rd., it was reported that a house boat in a private dock had been broken into and items stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Residential Burglary – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor from this incident.

May 26, 2014.  At 221 Rainbow Heights Dr., it was reported that a boat at a private dock had been entered and items stolen.  BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with this incident.

May 26, 2014.  At the Buzzard Roost Dry Storage on Slick Rock Rd., it was reported that three storage units had been broken into and items stolen, including a chainsaw, a tent, and a knife.  BARTLETT will be charged with three counts of Breaking or Entering – Felony and three counts of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor in connection with these incidents.

May 28, 2014.  A second break-in on Pioneer Trail Drive was reported.  From this incident, BARTLETT will be charged with one count of Breaking or Entering – Felony and one count of Theft of Property – Misdemeanor.

     It is estimated that approximately $50,000 worth of goods and property were stolen by PHILLIP BARTLETT.  These included the two Arctic Cat vehicles, a golf cart stolen in the City of Mountain Home, and dozens of items of personal property taken from homes, boats, and storage units.  It is estimated that approximately 75% of these items have now been recovered.   Investigators also believe there are other thefts that have not yet been reported, as various items have been recovered that do not match property already reported stolen on existing reports.

     Sheriff’s Investigators first had occasion to go to 59 Hollow Ln on May 15^th when they followed tracks from the stolen 4 wheeler to that address.  Investigators made contact with the persons residing there and inquired as to whether or not BARTLETT was hiding there.  Investigators were told that BARTLETT was not there, however once BARTLETT was finally arrested it was learned that he had been given refuge at that address by LINDLEY and BUSHER for several days while authorities were searching for him. 

     Sheriff’s Investigators applied for and obtained a search warrant to search the premises at 59 Hollow Ln., which was executed on Tuesday afternoon, May 27^th.  During the search, Investigators found numerous items that had been reported stolen and which BARTLETT had been connected with.  Investigators also found a small quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the residence.  In addition, the Sheriff’s Office had previously received a complaint from the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative office on May 6^th  that even though electric service to the residence had been shut off approximately one year ago, the occupants had bypassed the meter and were running electrical power to the residence.  They estimate that $2,237.31 worth of electricity had been stolen.  As a result of the search, LINDLEY and BUSHER were also arrested and will be charged with multiple offenses.

     As it currently stands, PHILLIP RANDALL BARTLETT is facing charges as follows:

Residential Burglary (4 counts) - Felonies
Breaking or Entering (17 counts) - Felonies
Theft of Property (3 counts) – Felonies
Theft of Property (18 counts) – Misdemeanors
Criminal Mischief (1 count) – Misdemeanor
Failure to Appear in Court (2 counts) – Misdemeanor Warrants
Outstanding Felony Warrant – Izard County Hold
Outstanding Misdemeanor Warrant – Marion County Hold
Parole Violation – Arkansas Department of Corrections Hold

     PHILLIP BARTLETT is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond on the Baxter County charges and without bond on the parole violation.  He will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on June 19^th to answer.

     MICHAEL J. LINDLEY is facing charges as follows:

Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution – Felony
Theft of Property – Felony
Theft by Receiving – Misdemeanor
Possession of Methamphetamine – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Felony
Non-Payment of Fines – Misdemeanor Warrant
Child Support Non-Payment – Body Attachment

     MICHAEL LINDLEY is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond on the criminal charges and $1,500 bond on the child support non payment.  He will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on June 19^th to answer.

     SUSAN MICHELLE BUSHER is facing charges as follows:

Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution – Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Felony
Theft by Receiving – Misdemeanor

     SUSAN BUSHER is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.  She will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court also on June 19^th to answer.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff