November 19, 2011

      A joint investigation by Authorities from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police, Ozark County Missouri Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas Adult Probation and Parole were involved in the investigation and arrest of three suspects for numerous Burglaries and Thefts that have occurred in the past six weeks.     A fourth person was arrested for outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants during the investigation.

     During the investigation, Authorities from Ozark County, Missouri were able to obtain a video that showed suspects during a Burglary.  One of the suspects, who is currently on parole, was identified.  A subsequent visit by Probation and Parole was able to identify and seize stolen items.  The suspect, David O’Neal was taken into custody without incident.  Intelligence and further investigation led to the issuance and execution of a search warrant by the Mountain Home Police Department.  The search warrant was executed by authorities at approximately 1 pm on Friday at Creekside Apartments, in Mountain Home.  Several items that had been reported stolen in some of the burglaries were recovered.  Subsequently, the tenant of the apartment was taken into custody on Felony and Misdemeanor warrants from Arkansas and Missouri.

     Further Investigations by authorities led to other suspects and arrests.  Two other suspects were initially taken into custody.  Some of the stolen items were recovered.   Missouri authorities have indicated they anticipate filing charges on the three suspects for at least five burglaries and thefts, which includes at least one church. 

Arrested and Charged by Baxter County are:

Amber Hancock Nespor, age 26 of Mountain Home:

Felony  X 3, Ozark County
Misdemeanor, Stone County, Arkansas
Misdemeanor, Sherwood Police Department

She was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on Bond of $41, 742.00

David James O’Neal, age 21 of Mountain Home
Justin Thomas Studdard, age 27 of Briarcliff
William Brandon Hall, age 26  of Briarcliff 

All three have been charged with Commercial Burglary, Felony and Misdemeanor Thefts for:

Mountain Home Bible Church, Mountain Home
3-Rivers Church, Gamaliel
Quality Ridge Church of Christ, Mountain Home
Gerry’s Quick Stop, Mountain Home
Henderson Laundry Mat
101 Mower Mart
Norfork Lake Marina

 William Brandon Hall and Justin Studdard are additional charged with Felony Commercial Burglaries and Theft for:

Kelley Thomas Nursery, Mountain Home
Shady Grove Convenience Store, Shady Grove

     All three suspect’s bond was set at $50,000 pending their appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court on December 1^st, at 9 am.

     The investigation is continuing with more arrests and charges anticipated by authorities.  More information to follow by local law enforcement on the investigation as it continues.

Sheriff John Montgomery