Craighead County, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – A Harrisburg man is behind bars after deputies said that he drove away during a traffic stop on a stolen ATV, later claiming he was unable to remember how he obtained the vehicle due to meth usage the day prior.
District Judge David Boling found probable cause on Jan. 7 to charge 23-year-old Ozzy Dakotalee Barnes with the following:
- Class C Felony: Fleeing
- Class C Felony: Theft by receiving less than $25,000 but greater than $5,000
- Class A Misdemeanor: Resisting arrest – refusal to submit to arrest/active or passive refusal
According to the affidavit, on Jan. 3, Craighead County Deputy Sheriff Jared Walls saw an ATV on Highway 18 without its lights on. While attempting to stop it, the driver, Barnes, drove off onto a dirt road. After a short chase, the ATV crashed, and Barnes ran on foot to try to escape. Walls was able to use his canine partner to capture Barnes.
Upon observing the ATV, deputies noticed that the ignition had been hot-wired. The affidavit said it was later reported that the ATV had been stolen from a home in the 400 block of County Road 675, not too far from where Walls attempted his traffic stop.
Barnes was soon taken to the Craighead County Detention Center to await his probable cause hearing for the incident. During an interview with Detective David Bailey, Barnes said that he had used meth the previous day, claiming it affected him differently than before, according to the affidavit.
“Barnes stated he did not remember how he came into being in possession of the stolen ATV but did remember running/fleeing from law enforcement on it and being taken into custody,” the narrative said. Barnes is being held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27.
