Branscum receives prison sentence
Lewie Branscum, a local habitual offender has received a lengthy prison sentence in his latest criminal case.
According to the latest case report, in the early hours of February 10th, the Mountain Home Police Department had taken a suspicious person complaint involving a man coming to someone’s door asking for fuel. MHPD located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle fled and escaped. It was later determined that the vehicle in question had been stolen from Izard County, but that was not known at the time.
Later that day at approximately 3:01 PM, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office took another report of a stolen truck and trailer, a 1997 Dodge truck and 22 ft. gooseneck trailer, from a residence on Push Mountain Road. The owner of the vehicle later in the day saw his truck being driven on Bosswell Road in Izard County and identified the driver as Branscum. He was then seen again in the Calico Rock area in the truck, but without the trailer being pulled behind. The trailer was later found abandoned by the U. S. Forestry Service on Twin Creek Road in Baxter County.
The next day, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office located the truck that had been stolen in Baxter County, driven by Branscum, and attempted to make a stop on it. Deputies pursued him on Culp Road (Baxter CR 73) into Baxter County where he turned on Baxter CR 74 and continued to flee. Baxter County deputies responded to the area upon learning of this pursuit at around. Sheriff’s Corporal Craig Kocka stopped on Baxter CR 74 and deployed spike strips across the roadway. A short time later, Branscum approached at high speed and struck the spike strips with both front tires. He kept going and was followed by Corporal Kocka. Branscum then attempted to turn left (South) on Push Mountain Road. He was not able to make that turn due to both front tires being flat and off the rims. Corporal Kocka was then able to take Branscum into custody without further incident.
Branscum was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, theft of property – trailer, reckless driving, expired driver license, disregarding a stop sign and habitual offender.
He also has an outstanding felony warrant from Izard County for the theft of a 2000 Chevy Tahoe on Feb. 8 from Oxford. He was charged with theft of property, fleeing and habitual offender. Branscum will be facing additional charges from the Mountain Home Police Department.
Branscum appeared in Izard County Circuit Court on July 14 where he received eight years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
