Suspect Faces Up to Life in Prison for Simultaneous Possession, Theft, and Other Charges

JONESBORO, Ark. – A man wanted for vehicle theft ended up with many more charges after authorities reported finding him in simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm.

The incident began on Nov. 9, with an alleged vehicle theft. The probable cause affidavit states that at 7:30 a.m., Jonesboro officers responded to the 1500 block of French Street to take a report about a person’s vehicle being stolen during the night. At 10:50 a.m., the stolen vehicle was located at the 600 block of E. Roseclair. The vehicle was returned to the victim. However, she reported a phone, pistol, and key were missing.

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At around 11:43 p.m. later that night, the victim’s husband heard the vehicle start and observed it pull off from the driveway and leave. The low fuel light was on and he told authorities they wouldn’t get far. The vehicle was located at 11:55 p.m. at the 900 block of North Patrick. Once again, the vehicle was returned.

The affidavit said that by the morning of Nov. 10, the victims took the initiative to remove the battery from the vehicle and set up a camera in the carport. At about 3:40 a.m. on Nov. 10, the suspect was seen on video using the key to enter the vehicle. He then looked under the hood and noticed the battery had been removed, so he left.

The affidavit said the defendant stole another vehicle and was apprehended in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. After authorities viewed the security footage, they confirmed he was the same suspect. A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of the suspect – Joshua Caines.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force received an anonymous tip that Caines was staying with Allyssa Christopher at 303 Garden Manor, a second probable cause affidavit said. Police were reportedly told illegal drugs were being sold by the suspect and he possessed firearms.

With Caines on parole and an active warrant for his arrest, authorities began staking out the residence. Caines eventually exited the residence with a backpack and entered a blue car. That’s when agents ordered him out of the vehicle.

The affidavit states that a firearm was tossed on the ground by the defendant as he was approached. Inside of the backpack, authorities found two more guns and extra magazines. All the magazines in the three guns were loaded. One of the firearms was reported stolen through JPD.

Also in the bag, authorities found digital scales, suspected Ecstasy, and 296 grams of marijuana. Police found sandwich baggies suspected of being used in the packaging and sale of the pot.

Agents went to the apartment, where Christopher confirmed that Caines had been staying there. She signed a consent form to a search, the affidavit said. Three more firearms were found, one of which was reported stolen in the same incident as the other stolen gun found earlier.

Joshua Hezekiahuniko Caines, 20, of Jonesboro, faces charges that include:

• Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison
• Possession of a schedule VI substance with purpose to deliver, a Class C felony punishable by 3 to 10 years
• Possession of a schedule I or II substance, not meth or cocaine, a Class D felony punishable by up to 6 years
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony
• Possession of a firearm by certain persons/prior felony, a Class D felony
• Theft by receiving firearm, a Class D felony
• Theft of a vehicle valued at $25,000 or more, a Class B felony punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison
• Breaking or entering a vehicle, a Class D felony
• Theft of $1000 or less from a vehicle, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail

On Friday, Nov. 15, Judge David Boling set a $250,000 cash-only bond, following the prosecutor’s request. The defendant was said to have had a history of living out of state before 2020, in addition to currently being on parole and facing other charges.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.