Four charged with burglaries

— Hours after the Benton Police Department called for citizen help and vigilance to help stop a series of home and business burglaries and vehicle break-ins, police announced the arrest of five people officers said were involved in a large number of the crimes.

Officers arrested Ricky Ellison, 25, Ronald Spears, 18, Brittany Rielly, 18, Xavier Reed, 17, who police said was certified as an adult, and a juvenile.

All five suspects were charged with fifteen counts of residential burglary, and there are numerous other criminal mischief and theft charges pending, according to an announcement from Lt. Kevin Russell of the Benton Police Department.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Benton Police said they were investigating 65 burglaries and 58 thefts from vehicles that had been reported since Nov. 1. The latest was reported on Monday.

“On the morning of Jan. 3, a home owner noticed a suspect in a storage shed,” Russell said.

Police were called but Russell said the person fled before police arrived. The suspect was identified by police as Frank Thomas Otis, 53, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Police said he was driving a 2000 model Chevrolet Trailblazer with Arkansas license plates.

Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane said an earlier burglary attempt was foiled when two people broke into a home in Benton only to find the resident waiting with a shotgun. The intruders fled, the chief said.

Lane said detectives think the crimes are being committed by several unrelated groups, some based in Benton and some from out of town. Lane also said some of the crimes could be gang-related.

On Dec. 16, the Benton Police Department announced the arrest of two people police said they believed were responsible for some of the incidents. Police responded to a possible burglary in progress on Faye Circle in Benton. Russell said police determined that the two people had several stolen items with them and they were arrested and charged with residential burglary and theft of property.

On Dec. 10, some items were found on Saline Circle and turned over to police. An investigation found several of the items had been stolen and some were returned to owners. Other items were taken to the police department, and an announcement was issued trying to find the owners of the remaining property.

During the Christmas shopping season, Benton police noticed a growing number of thefts from vehicles and from homes.

“So many people in Benton work in Pulaski County or in Hot Springs, and that makes us a target with so many people out of town all day,” Lane said.

Lt. Scott Courtney of the Saline County Sheriff’s office said while thefts and burglaries did increase in number during the holidays, the county’s deputies had seen a major hike in the crimes being reported in Benton.

“I think many of these crimes will end up being youths, and they are staying close to their neighborhoods,” Courtney said.

The thieves in Benton have had an unusual method of breaking in the vehicles, the police chief said.

“There were a series of late-night crimes where the windows of a vehicle would be shot out with a pellet or BB gun,” said Lane. “They could then break out the windows and take something from the car without opening the doors.”

On Dec. 17, the department issued tips for discouraging that type of crime.

These tips included locking all the doors and removing “tempting items” such as purses and GPS devices.

“We used to leave our keys in the car, but we learned not to do that,” Lane said. “We have to learn to lock the doors and take other precautions.”

Lane suggested people not park vehicles on the street. Parking in a garage will offer the most protection.

Russell also suggested that residents leave lights on outside the home.

“Crime likes to hide in the dark,” he said. “A well-lit neighborhood will help deter it.”

Police are encouraging Benton residents to call the police department if they witnesses anything.

“If you are in doubt whether you should dial 911 then please err on the safe side and dial it,” Russell said. “If you have other information to pass along, you may also reach the police department at (501) 778-1171.”

The formation of neighborhood watch groups are also being encouraged in the city.

“This will be one of our main goals for the year,” Lane said. “We can get the community involved so we will have extra eyes out there helping us.

“A neighborhood group watches out for their neighbors and reports anything suspicious and coordinates anti-criminal activities such as walking patrols.”

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