Neighbor Accused of Taking Porch Package, Returning It Days Later in Jonesboro Case

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro suspect was arrested after police said a neighbor was identified in the theft of a package from a victim’s porch.

Crystal Leeann Barton, 43, was arrested for theft of property involving a postal package, a Class D felony.

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According to a probable cause affidavit from the Jonesboro Police Department, an officer took a report on March 24, 2026, from a victim whose package had been stolen from their porch.

On March 27, the victim contacted police again and said the package previously reported stolen had been returned, according to the affidavit. The victim told police Crystal Barton was captured on video returning the package and apologizing, and said they wished to pursue criminal charges.

Police reviewed the video, the affidavit states. In the initial recording, Barton was seen walking along the sidewalk in front of the victim’s residence wearing black pants and a black shirt. After noticing a package on the porch, she stopped, looked at it, then turned around and walked back in the direction from which she came, according to the affidavit.

In a subsequent recording, Barton was seen wearing black pants and a gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, police said. The affidavit states she approached the porch, took possession of the package without consent and left the area.

The victim later told police Barton discarded the packaging in a trash container behind her residence, according to the affidavit. The victim also provided photographs of the opened box, which clearly displayed the victim’s name.

According to the affidavit, the victim identified Barton as their neighbor and said this had happened in the past.

Court records show Barton’s bail was set at $5,000 by Judge David Boling.

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