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‘Barefoot Burglar’ Caught Thanks To Social Media, Surveillance

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — A man dubbed the “barefoot burglar” was arrested Tuesday (Aug. 22) after police matched the burglar’s tattoos to a...

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — A man dubbed the “barefoot burglar” was arrested Tuesday (Aug. 22) after police matched the burglar’s tattoos to a suspect through his social media account, according to a preliminary arrest report.

Elijah Waldner, 20, was arrested in connection with commercial burglary, theft of property, second-degree battery, fleeing, possession of a firearm by certain persons, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia — all felonies.

Waldner also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental operations.

Waldner and his passenger, Kiana Thompson, were stopped by Fayetteville police about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday on Razorback Road. Waldner wrestled with police as they tried to handcuff him, injuring an officer in the process. Thompson fled from the car, ignoring officers commands to remain in the vehicle, according to the report.

Thompson was arrested in connection with fleeing, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance — all misdemeanors.

After Waldner and Thompson were detained, police searched Waldner’s car and found three handguns, a baggie of marijuana, a scale, a crowbar, pliers and computer equipment used to erase cell phone data, according to police.

Waldner was being held Wednesday (Aug. 23) at the Washington County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond. He has a preliminary hearing set for Friday (Aug. 25) in Washington County Circuit Court.

Thompson was free Wednesday on a $2,000 bond.

Video surveillance footage captured a man leaving Razorback Stadium on Aug. 3 with several tools and tool bags. Most of the equipment reappeared at the construction site the following day, according to Capt. Gary Crain, university police spokesman.

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