Deputies Nab Burglary Suspect

A Roland man was arrested July 17 on burglary charges.

Matthew Tyler White, 29, who lives in rural Roland, is suspected in the theft of equipment from the home of Stephen Fowlkes, reports show. He was charged with second- and third-degree burglary.

On July 16, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s department reported that White and several alleged accomplices entered Fowlkes’ home and shop building and stole a large Dewalt commercial radio and other items, including a horseshoe-shaped men’s ring. The thieves also stole a wallet containing several credit cards, the report reveals.

Fowlkes discovered the burglary July 17 when he saw footprints in the morning dew indicating that someone had walked to the shop building from across the field from his property to the shop building.

According to the report, several of White’s alleged accomplices went to the Walmart Supercenter on Zero Street in Fort Smith, where they bought two cell phones and phone cards to add minutes to the new phones. The purchases were reportedly paid for with a Discovery Card belonging to Fowlkes.

White was charged with second-degree burglary in the heist from Fowlkes’ shop. He was charged with third-degree burglary for breaking into Fowlkes’ truck.

The charges, both felonies, are punishable by seven years in prison for the second-degree charge. The third-degree burglary charge carries a five-year prison term.

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

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