RIVER RADIO NEWS 082713
JONESBORO POLICE LOOKING FOR THREE HOME INVASION SUSPECTS
Police in Jonesboro, Arkansas are looking for three men who allegedly forced their way into a home, and then threatened the homeowner with a gun.
Authorities say they were called to a home in the 1500 block of West College Avenue just after midnight yesterday. When they arrived, the homeowner told them he had arrived home to find three black males in front of his home. One of them was at the door. The homeowner confronted the men, at which time one of the suspects threatened him and fired a handgun toward him.
A second witness, a friend of the homeowner, was in the home at the time. She told investigators that she had answered the door after hearing knocking and that the three men had pointed a gun at her and entered the house.
One of the suspects is described as 5’8” to 5’10” tall, about 200 pounds, wearing a dark colored hoodie.
Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to call Crime Stoppers at 870-935-STOP.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER CHARGE
A guilty plea has been entered in a murder case in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington, Rashon Webb entered a guilty plea to first degree murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, and two counts of aggravated residential burglary. Webb was sentenced to 92 years in prison.
Webb had been arrested in connection to a set of home invasions last November which also included the murder of 92 year old Clinton Mason. A co-defendant in the case, Lavelle Branch-Griffin, will appear in court in September.
ARKANSAS MAN ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE
A Paragould man is facing a rape charge.
Authorities say 65 year old Richard Owens has been arrested on one count of rape. The charge stems from an alleged incident that involved a 13 year old female.
A call had reportedly been made to the child abuse hotline in July saying that the girl had been abused by an adult male.
THREE ARRESTED IN KENNETT
An operation in Kennett has resulted in the arrest of three people.
According to the Kennett Police Department, officers arrested 30 year old Keri Smart-Scheffer of Piggott, Arkansas for fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance. The woman had allegedly posed as an employee of a doctor’s office and called in a prescription for herself to a pharmacy in Kennett.
At the time of the arrest, two others, 31 year old Dusty Scheffler and 32 year old Carla Parrish-Scheffler, also of Piggott, were also arrested on outstanding warrants.
Both Carla and Dusty were later released to seek medical attention for what is now believed to be faked medical conditions. The two reportedly fled from the hospital where they were taken for treatment and led police on a lengthy foot chase before being apprehended.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED POSSESSION OF XANAX
A Poplar Bluff man is facing drug charges following his arrest Monday evening.
According to the Highway Patrol, 26 year old Jacob H. Heitmeyer was arrested in Butler County at around 7 pm Monday night.
Heitmeyer is facing a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, Xanax.
DEXTER MAN FACING METH AND FLEEING CHARGES
A Dexter man was taken into custody Sunday on numerous charges, including possession of methamphetamine.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 22 year old Michael A. Phipps is facing felony charges of resisting arrest by fleeing; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia; in addition to many other lesser charges.
Phipps was arrested shortly before 8 pm in Stoddard County.
CAR DISCOVERED IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Authorities in New Madrid County have discovered a car in the Mississippi River.
According to KFVS, the car did not belong to 83 year old Barbara Stoffer, who has been missing since last week. Crews were investigating “something of interest” in connection to the case when they found the car.
No information was available on who the vehicle belonged to or how it got in the river.
HEAT WAVE ON THE WAY
Much of Southeast Missouri is in line for a heat wave later this week.
According to the National Weather Service, a large dome of high pressure over the plains states is bringing a possible significant and extended heat spell to the area.
This weekend we could see heat index values in the 100 to 105 degree range. The hot and humid afternoons will likely continue into next week.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR INTERSTATE 55
North and southbound Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County will be reduced today and tomorrow as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The repairs will be located between mile markers 6.8 and 12.
Weather permitting, work will take place both today and tomorrow from 6 am to 7 pm each day.
NEW LAW TO ALLOW VEHICLE INSURANCE INFORMATION TO BE HELD ELECTRONICALLY
A new law going into effect tomorrow will allow motorists to carry their proof of insurance on their cell phones.
HB 322 will allow proof of insurance for motor vehicles to be produced on a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device.
Police officers, commercial vehicle enforcement officers, and commercial vehicle inspectors are immune from liability for any damage to a mobile electronic device when it is presented as proof of financial responsibility, except for damages willfully or maliciously caused by the officer or inspector.
More information about HB 322 is available online on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.
