News : Sheriff's Office recovers over $40,000 in tools and urges citizens to loce vehic

On November 2, 2019 the Benton County Sheriff's offices executed a search warrant at a rural residence outside of Atkins in conjunction to a theft of tools that had been reported earlier that morning. In the process of serving the search warrant, over $40,000 of tools, equipment, various collectible items and illegal controlled substances were seized. Also located was an improvised explosive device that required assistance from the State Fire Marshall's Division.

This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office strongly urges citizens to keep their vehicles locked when unattended, as unlocked vehicles become easy targets. Also, citizens are urged to take time to photograph or document serial numbers on all tools and valuables if they can. When a great deal of stolen items is recovered by law enforcement, only a small percentage of the stolen property is able to get back to the rightful owners because ownership becomes difficult to determine.