Pictured is Searcy County Deputy David Williams escorting Justin Echols from a residence in Leslie, after being arrested on alleged burglary, theft and narcotic charges.

  According to Sheriff Kenny Cassell on July 28, Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce was contacted by a Leslie resident concerning a burglary at their residence on Yorkshire Road in Searcy County. After arriving on scene, the homeowner told Pierce that someone had entered his home and removed property without his permission. During the investigation, Pierce suggested the homeowner install cameras around the property for identification and security purposes.

  During the week of August 26, the homeowner contacted law enforcement concerning another burglary and theft at the same address.  This time, the homeowner's cameras captured images of two individuals as well as a vehicle. The two individuals captured on camera are seen walking to and from the residence carrying property owned by the homeowner, which was inside the residence at the time of the burglary. The cameras captured this twice on two separate occasions.

  The cameras show a vehicle backed into the property and stolen property is being placed into the vehicle by the two people. After identifying the vehicle, deputies traced it back to Justin Echols of Leslie, who is currently on felony probation in the State of Arkansas.   

  On September 4, Pierce applied and received a search warrant through Searcy County Circuit Court.  On September 9, he and two other deputies and a agent with Arkansas Community Corrections executed the search warrant at a residence on Fifth Street in Leslie, Arkansas.  During the search, deputies came in contact with a female unrelated to the burglary and theft.  The female was detained, but released later during the search. 

  After entering the residence, Echols was located and read his rights and the search warrant was served. While standing in the living room of the residence, deputies saw a large wood frame that contained a quilt with eagles on it, which was one of the items stolen from the residence on Yorkshire Lane in Searcy County.

  Echols was placed in custody and escorted from the residence. He was transported to the Searcy County Detention Center where he was booked and processed for two counts of residential burglary and theft of property.

  As the search of the residence continued, numerous property items were located that belonged to the homeowner. Also located by deputies and ACC agents, was packaged methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, cash money, plastic baggies, marijuana, marijuana seeds, smoking devices, and a crossbow. 

  In an interview that occurred on September 9, Echols admitted to entering the residence in question, and stealing property from within.

  Echols is currently in custody awaiting criminal charges in Searcy County Circuit Court. Arkansas Community Corrections has also placed a probation hold on Echols.

  Echols was charged with two counts of residential burglary; theft of property; possession of meth or cocaine with purpose to deliver; possession to ingest meth/cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; and possession of LT 4 oz scheduled VI narcotic.

  Another suspect is being sought in connection with this crime.