Baxter County Sheriff’s Investigators have cleared several cases with the arrests last week of 20 year old James Eric Flow of Lakeview and 23 year old Rebecca Leigh Shortt of rural Mountain Home.

     The arrests came about after Deputy Danielle Campfield met with Rebecca Shortt on March 25^th at the Midway Oaks Trailer Park.  Shortt gave Deputy Campfield information concerning the thefts of a car motor, boat motor, and lawnmowers.  She implicated both herself and her boyfriend, James Eric Flow, in the thefts and told deputies where the stolen articles could be found. 

     That same date, deputies went to Flow’s address in Lakeview.  There they recovered a Force 75 hp outboard motor that had been reported stolen from the back of a pontoon boat at the end of Baxter CR 15 on March 23^rd.  Also located at the residence was a car engine that was partially disassembled, two push mowers, and a trailer that contained a hot water heater and a washing machine.  James E. Flow was taken into custody at the residence.   

     During interview, James Flow admitted to stealing the outboard motor from the pontoon boat.  He also admitted to stealing two car motors, which were reported stolen on March 22^nd from an address on Baxter CR 904, and an older riding lawn mower that was reported stolen on March 21^st from an address on Hwy 178 W, which he scrapped.  Flow stated that Rebecca Shortt was with him during all of these thefts. 

     On March 26^th, Sheriff’s Investigators were contacted by another victim from Midway Oaks Trailer Park.  This person reported the theft of two push mowers, a hot water heater, and a stove.  These items had been seen by deputies at the offender’s residence the previous evening.  These items were subsequently returned to the victim. 

     The total value of all stolen items was estimated to be approximately $2,500.  

     James Eric Flow was charged with: 

     Breaking or Entering (2 counts) – Class D Felonies
     Theft of Property (2 counts) – Class D Felonies
     Theft of Property (2 counts) – Class A Misdemeanors 

     James Eric Flow was incarcerated on March 26^th  in the Detention Center, but later released after posting bond in the amount of $10,000.  He will appear in Circuit Court on April 12^th. 

     Rebecca Leigh Shortt was charged with: 

     Breaking or Entering – Class D Felony
     Theft of Property (2 counts) – Class D Felonies
     Theft of Property – Class A Misdemeanor 

     Rebecca Leigh Shortt was incarcerated on March 26th in the Detention Center, but later released after posting bond in amount of $10,000.  She will also appear in Circuit Court on April 12^th.  

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff