May 11, 2019

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with multiple car break-ins that occurred over a two day period this week.

On May 9th  and 10th  Baxter County Deputies took multiple reports of vehicles that had been broken into in an area on the north part of Mountain Home during the overnight hours. All of the vehicles were located in the driveways of the victim’s homes with one exception, all the vehicles had been left unlocked.

Video provided by one of the victims to Investigators show two suspects.  During the course of the investigation it was learned the one of the victim’s credit card had attempted to be used at a local business. On May 10th, Surveillance footage was obtained and the pictures of the two suspects were uploaded to the Most Wanted Page on the Baxter County Sheriff’s Website and then shared by hundreds of people.  Within 30 minutes of the posting of the pictures of the Most Wanted Page, the Sheriff’s Office received numerous tips on the identities of the two suspects.  The first suspect, 22 year old Dakota Drzka was arrested by Investigators at his place of employment.  He was interviewed by Sheriff’s Investigators and he admitted to his part in the Break-ins and Thefts.

At approximately 11:45 pm the second suspect, 19-year-old Michael Joseph Thorne, turned himself in at the Baxter County Detention Center.  Thorne stated he had been shown his picture on the Most Wanted Page and decided to turn himself in. Thorne refused to talk with Investigators.

Dakota Ran Drzka, age 22 of Mountain Home and Michael Joseph Thorn, age 19 of Mountain Home were both charged with:

Breaking or Entering – 14 Counts                          Class D Felony

Theft of Property, Credit Cards – 4 Counts           Class D Felony

Forgery – 3 Counts                                                  Class D Felony

Theft of Property – 1 Count                                    Class D Felony

Criminal Mischief – 1 Count                                   Class D Felony

Theft of Property – 8 Counts              Class A Misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief – 4 Counts              Class A Misdemeanor

Drzka and Thorne were booked in the Baxter County Detention Center and is being held on $25,000 Bond pending their appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court on May 30th at 9 am.

The investigation is continuing with more charges possible by Baxter County and the Mountain Home Police Department.

We would like to thank the public for their assistance in the arrest of these two suspects.  We would also remind people to lock their cars at work, at church, at the store and especially at their homes.

Sheriff John Montgomery