ROGERS — A Rogers man was arrested Saturday in connection with the theft of a loaded Bushmaster AR-15 patrol rifle from an unmarked Rogers police vehicle, according to a news release.
Sergio Arce Fuentes, 20, of 2510 Old Wire Road was arrested in connection with breaking or entering, theft of property and criminal use of a prohibited weapon, all felonies.
Officers on Friday conducted an undercover operation that recovered the rifle and several rounds of ammunition, the release said. The Rogers SWAT team served two search warrants at homes in Rogers, recovering the rifle and its three loaded magazines, two Glock magazines for a 9-mm pistol and a police patch officers believed was removed from a stolen ballistic vest, the release said.
The rifle and other items — including handcuffs, a flashlight and shoulder bag — were stolen about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday while the vehicle was parked at a detective's home, said Hayes Minor, Rogers police chief. Minor didn't release the detective's name or the address where the items were stolen. Minor had stressed the importance of finding the AR-15.
The investigation into the stolen items is ongoing and more arrests are possible, the release said. Anyone with information can call Rogers police at (479) 636-4141.
Fuentes was being held Saturday at the Benton County jail with no bond set.