MonticelloLive

According to Investigator Rick Rausch of the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept., anyone who had property stolen as a part of the Deer Camp Burglaries, that has not been in contact with the Sheriff’s office within the past week, is encouraged to contact Rausch, in order to have their stolen property identified, and returned to them.

The Sheriff’s Dept. can be contacted at 367-6211.

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The following story posted on MonticelloLive.com on April 1, 2008

The photos shown here are the 54 guns, bows, pistols, and other misc. items that were recovered last week from the Deer Camp Burglars.

According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, last Tuesday morning, around 2 a.m., he received a telephone call from Ashley County Chief Deputy Hal Cameron.

During that same time frame, Drew County deputy also was on patrol of deer camps in southern Drew County, in the area around the Collins-Snyder road.

West and Sanchez, from Tillar in Drew County, were arrested by Cameron in Ashley County, who contacted Sheriff Gober.  Sheriff Gober met Cameron at the West residence, obtained consent to search the property, and found out about Phillips residence in Desha County.

Gober contacted Desha County authorities, in order to gain control of the Phillips’ residence, in order to prevent any movement of evidence there.

Approximately 54 firearms were recovered, ammunition, bows, crossbows, compound bows, as well as a huge selection of camping supplies, was recovered.

The series of deer camp burglaries has continued over 2 months, and covered parts of 3 southeast Arkansas counties.

The bonds for all 3 subjects is listed below, in an earlier story.

Sheriff Gober wants to encourage everyone not to leave weapons and valuables in unattended deer camps.

Another way to improve the chances of have your items returned to you, should they be stolen, is th keep a record of serial numbers of your firearms and other valuable items.

Anyone who has had items taken during the deer camp break-ins, who has not been contacted by the Sheriff’s Dept. please contact them to make arrangements to identify your missing items.

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The story below posted on March 27, 2008

Updates on the arrests include the fact that 3 Tillar residents are being held in the Ashley County Jail, on bond.  All 3 are charged with multiple counts each of burglary, theft of property, and breaking and entering.

John E. West’s bond is set at $100,000 in each of the 3 counties for a total of $300,000.  West will probably be charged with a “criminal enterprise” type charge, as well.

Francisco Sanchez, who is West’s roommate, and Jerry Phillips both have bonds set at $10,000 per county, for a total of $30,000, per suspect.

The co-operation and communication between counties is considered to be the primary factor in the solving of this crime spree. 

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The story below posted on March, 25, 2008 

The recent series of deer camp break-ins has most likely come to an end.

According to investigator Rick Rausch, of the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept, three suspects were arrested Monday night in Ashley County, who are believed to have been resppnsible for deer camp burglaries in Ashley, Chicot, and Drew Counties.

According to Rausch, teamwork and communication between counties was the key to solving these crimes.

Ashley County Chief Deputy Hal Cameron was on duty Monday night, and noticed a vehicle drive through a stop sign. During the traffic stop, he noticed tools in the vehicle that would have left identifying marks, similar to the ones left at the Drew County deer camp break-ins.

Three suspects were soon under arrest, and most of the stolen property has been recovered.

The case work is still under way. More information, as well as the names of the suspects, will be released Wednesday.