Huggins man facing drug and other charges after allegedly burning Success man’s truck
Texas County authorities are seeking charges against a 47-year-old Huggins man suspected of torching a vehicle and stealing its contents Friday in northwest Texas County.
The incident started when officers were dispatched to Jack Tar Hollow Road at about 9:45 p.m. after a 24-year-old Success man reported that his 1981 Ford pickup was burned while he spent the day floating on the Big Piney River. The man told authorities he had parked the truck, left it at about 2 p.m., and found it smoldering when he returned at about 9:30.
An investigating officer spoke to a nearby store’s owner, who stated that a man camping near the scene had been seen at the location shortly before the truck owner called the sheriff’s department.
The man was quickly located and discovered to have in his possession several items that the truck owner said were his: including a laptop computer valued at $500, an in-dash CD player, an iPod and other items.
Evidence of a meth lab was also found at the suspect’s campsite.
The local state fire marshal’s office was contacted regarding an inspection of the burned truck (which was valued at $700). The inspection was reportedly to take place near the end of this week.
Charges sought against the suspect include first-degree tampering, stealing more than $500, first-degree property damage and possession of a controlled substance.