Kalei Jade Britt

Makaylah Riffle

     The Sheriff's Office arrested two parole absconders Tuesday afternoon, April 9th, in a stolen vehicle after receiving information that they were heading to a residence in Baxter County.

     The Rector, Arkansas Police Department contacted the Baxter County Sheriff's Office stating they had received a tip that KALEI BRITT and MAKAYLAH RIFFLE would be arriving at a specific residence in Baxter County around 4:00 PM in a white Dodge Ram 1500 4 x 4 truck that had been stolen in their jurisdiction.  It was also stated that the vehicle may be displaying fictitious vehicle license.

     Baxter County Sheriff's Deputies set up observation points in that area to look for the vehicle.  At approximately 3:43 PM, Deputy Austin Morrison observed a vehicle matching the description of the one stolen.  It turned onto Baxter CR 11.  The vehicle was occupied by two females who matched the description of the suspects provided by Rector PD.  The vehicle then went down Hummingbird Lane and stopped.  Deputy Morrison initiated contact with the occupants of the vehicle.  They were confirmed to be parole absconders KALEI BRITT and MAKAYLAH RIFFLE.  The truck had fictitious license displayed, but it was confirmed to be the truck that had been stolen from Rector.

     Deputies took both females into custody and transported them to the Sheriff's Office. During interrogation, RIFFLE admitted to stealing the truck from a car lot and driving it to various locations throughout Arkansas over the past week.  BRITT was picked up by RIFFLE after she had stolen the vehicle.  BRITT admitted knowing the vehicle was stolen.  The truck was valued at approximately $15,000. 

     KALEI JADE BRITT, 22 years of age and indicated to be homeless, and MAKAYLAH RIFFLE, 28 years of age and also indicated as being homeless, were both booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on charges of:

Theft by Receiving - Felony
Parole Violation - Felony

      They are being held without bond for the violation of parole and have been given a bond of $75,000 each on the theft charge.  They will both appear before the Circuit Court to answer on April 15th. 

     In addition, both of these women were named as suspects in a separate theft case reported to the Sheriff's Office on April 2nd.  They were accused of stealing antique U. S. and foreign currency from a residence on Baxer CR 18 where they had briefly stayed.  The stolen items were valued at $1,500.  This case is under investigation by the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division and may result in additional charges.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff