Baker wanted in connection with theft

  An arrest warrant has been issued for Marshall resident, Shannon Baker age 40, after the Searcy County Sheriff's Office took a report on January 15 concerning four (4) stolen pocket watches. According to Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell, the watches, valued at approximately $1,000, were taken for a business in Leslie owned by Jack Benefiel.

  According to Benefiel's statement, the watches were taken from his store between January 1-3. He also said that one of his longtime customers told him that he needed to check at the Leslie Antique Mall because the owner there had just purchased three pocket watches from Shannon Baker.

  Based on Benefiel's statement, investigators with Searcy County Sheriff's Office contacted the owner of the Leslie Antique Mall, Nolan Cox, and learned that Cox had purchased three pocket watches from Baker. Cox also told the investigators that Baker and another person came to his store prior to this incident and sold him a 25 hp Mercury boat motor for $300. Baker told Cox he had the boat that went with the motor if interested.

  On January 10, Marshall resident Sally Sutterfield filed a report with the sheriff's office concerning the theft of her 25 hp Mercury boat motor from her residence. The motor, that was identified by its serial number, was the motor sold to the Leslie Antique Mall earlier in the month.

  On January 22, Twentieth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews and Deputy Prosecutor Benjamin Fruehauf issue an affidavit for Baker's arrest on charges of theft by receiving, Class D felony, an enhanced habitual offender charge and theft by receiving, Class A misdemeanor.

  As of this date, the sheriff's department has been unable to contact and interview Baker concerning these crimes. Anyone having any information concerning Baker or his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff's office at 870-448-2340.