Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Stolen merchandise recovered

On 11-21-07 at 4:04 p.m., Patrol Officers with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department checked out on a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of 1107 East Street, the Silver Dollar Bar. The occupants appeared to be loitering in the parking lot of the bar.

After making contact with the occupants of the vehicle, Officers confirmed that two of the three occupants were lying about their identities. Officers arrested these individuals for Obstructing Governmental Operations and identified them as Travarus Bailey, (23 y.o.a.), of Texarkana, Texas, and Joshua Rigsby, ( 24 y.o.a.), also of Texarkana, Texas.

A search of the suspect vehicle yielded several items of interest. Officers located a large set of bolt cutters, two locks that had been cut, rubber gloves, and two HDTV Polaroid flat screen televisions. The third occupant was identified as Travares Sanders, (07-14-78), of Texarkana, Texas. Conflicting statements were given to officers in reference to the televisions. Detective Alan Fincher with the Arkansas Criminal Investigation Division was contacted and responded to the scene.

Detective Fincher was able to confirm that the televisions originated from the Texas side WalMart and had, in fact, been stolen. All three defendants were then charged with Theft by Receiving. This particular offense is a felony crime in the state of Arkansas due to the amount of the property being over $500.00 dollars.

Through a follow up investigation, Detectives with the Arkansas Criminal Investigation Division were able to locate eight more flat screen televisions and three DVD players, all of which had been stolen from the Texas side WalMart. The total value of the property has been estimated at approximately $5000.00 dollars.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is making every effort to pay close attention to combating property crime during this Holiday season. Citizens are encouraged to contact the police department, or Crime Stoppers at (903)793-STOP, with any information regarding this or any other crime.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.