The Muldrow Police Department received a call March 9 from Bill Riddle about a possible burglary at his neighbor's home. His neighbor, Paul Crawford, and his family were on vacation at the time, Muldrow Police Chief Tony Lewis said.
Riddle told police that he noticed a person walking out of the Crawford home, and called because he knew the family was on vacation and he was concerned.
An officer went by the home, but there were no signs of any sort of entry, and no action was taken at the time, Lewis said.
On March 14 when the Crawfords came back from vacation, they called the police and reported a break-in, in which several thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry, and a small pistol were taken from a gun safe.
Officers processed the scene and during a follow-up investigation, they visited with Riddle. He told police that he recognized the man coming out of Crawford's home, and saw the man walk across the street to his residence. After learning of the information, police went to the suspect's home at 1402 S. Fargo in Muldrow and arrested Mark Allen Barnes, 32. During the arrest, officers noticed drug paraphernalia in the house, Lewis said.
A subsequent search warrant was issued, and police found $6,000 in cash, remnants of a methamphetamine lab, a small amount of marijuana, a firearm, and jewelry in Barnes' home.
Lewis said most of the items stolen from Crawford's house were recovered.
Barnes was booked into the Muldrow City Jail on charges of second-degree burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm, grand larceny, possession of marijuana, and endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance. His bond was set at $56,000. Barnes has two former felony convictions.
Lewis said the department turned the case over to the Sequoyah County district attorney's office, and will also contact the U.S. attorney's office to file the firearms charge under the Project Safe Neighborhood campaign that jails felons found to be in possession of firearms.
"They are very serious about felons and firearms," Lewis said.
Lewis said the department is appreciative of the Riddle's concern for his neighborhood.
"Mr. Riddle was instrumental in assisting the police in solving this particular crime," Lewis said.
