“When I opened up the front door I noticed the back door was open,” said Mike Thomas, of Mountainburg.
Thomas says someone broke into his house last week. “They actually kicked the door here cause I had a deadbolt,” he said.
Thomas says the suspects stole his wife’s jewelry. “Three of her wedding rings and one of mine,” he said. “They got her grandmother's ring.”
Mountainburg police say they got calls about three different burglaries within 24 hours.
“Two of the burglaries they kicked in the door and they went straight for a safe if they found one, jewelry box,” said Mountainburg Police Chief James Mehaffey.
Chief Mehaffey says the suspects stole about $60,000 worth of jewelry, a purse, cash, credit cards, and guns. “I think this was a rare thing that just happened and shook the community up,” he said. “I don’t believe you need to be scared. Just take your daily precautions as you would any day.”
Officers made one arrest so far. Sam Gypson faces a theft by receiving charge and a possession of a defaced firearm charge. Chief Mehaffey says they are looking for three more suspects.
“This is not common here,” said Chief Mehaffey.
Thomas had an alarm system and security cameras installed at his house. “I've been here 40 years and yeah this, this is kind of crazy,” he said.
Thomas just wants his family to feel safe again.
Investigators say a stabbing in Mulberry led them to one of the stolen guns.
If you have information about the burglaries, call the Mountainburg Police Department at 479-369-2000.