Burglars steal nearly 80 guns from hardware store

Burglars steal nearly 80 guns from hardware store

PRAIRIE GROVE — Authorities in Arkansas released surveillance video Monday they say shows three suspects inside an Ace Hardware shop swiping 79 guns — mostly pistols — within two minutes after breaking into the store.

The incident occurred at about 3 a.m. on Friday, and for reasons unknown, the burglary did not trigger an alarm, The suspects, apparently emboldened, returned to the store in Prairie Grove about two hours later to steal a few more weapons, but set off the alarm during the re-entry.

They were in the store the second time and joined by a fourth person for four seconds. The suspects were not identified. A total of 79 guns were taken, including pistols, revolvers and rifles. They reportedly broke a glass case inside the store to remove the weapons.

The report said that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to their arrests. The report said that the National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering another $5,000 reward.

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Flash Flood Watch for parts of state

LITTLE ROCK — With more rain in the forecast today, a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas.

National Weather Service meteorologists say the watch is for portions of Central Arkansas, Eastern Arkansas and Southeast Arkansas from overnight Wednesday morning into the late afternoon.

Counties included in the watch are: Arkansas, Bradley, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, and White and Woodruff.

Several periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Two to four inches of rainfall will be common in the watch area.

Heavy rainfall, falling across saturated ground, will create conditions favorable for flash flooding.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Much of Northeast Arkansas remains under a Flood Advisory until March 7 due to high waters on the St. Francis Levee.

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Three facing murder charges for Stuttgart shooting

STUTTGART — Three men are in custody in connection to a homicide investigation, police say.

Stuttgart Police confirm Zach Geans, 20, was killed Wednesday afternoon.

Two suspects, Keenen Hudson and Chyvontae Powell were arrested Thursday py Stuttgart Police. The two are being held in custody in connection to Geans’ death.

Police say the victim is the younger brother of Ricola Geans, who was shot several times and left in a driveway on Rose Street last week in Stuttgart.

The next day, a third man was arrested in connection to the deadly shooting.

According to police, Ronta Ross was arrested late Friday and faces a first-degree murder charge.

The two are expected in court this morning for a plea and arraignment hearing.