Paragould Property Manager Faces Felony Theft Allegation After Cameras, Other Items Taken From Rental Home

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A property manager is facing a felony theft allegation after Paragould police say she entered a rental home, unplugged security cameras and took property belonging to the residents, according to a felony affidavit released Monday by police.

Tori Michelle Bateman, 37, faces one count of theft of property, a Class D felony.

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According to a probable cause affidavit from the Paragould Police Department, officers were called at about 5:38 p.m. on April 3, 2026, to a residence on Highway 69 South in reference to a property manager unplugging security cameras and taking items from inside the home.

When officers arrived, the residents told police Bateman came into the home, unplugged their cameras, and took the cameras along with several other items belonging to them, according to the affidavit.

Police later made contact with Bateman and recovered some of the stolen items for the residents, the affidavit said. The recovered property totaled more than $1,000.

Bateman was interviewed after being advised of her Miranda rights, according to police. In the affidavit, Bateman told officers the residents were behind on rent. She said she entered the home to do a walkthrough and believed the residents appeared to be moving out.

The affidavit states Bateman told police, “Obviously I know taking the stuff wasn’t right, I guess. I mean it wasn’t.”

According to the affidavit, Bateman told officers she intended to take the property and hold it for 30 days or until the rent was paid.

Jail records show she was arrested on April 3.

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

FACTS CONSTITUTING REASONABLE CAUSE
On April 3, 2026 at approximately 1738 hours, Officers were called to a residence on Highway 69 S in reference to a property manager unplugging security cameras and taking things out of the resident’s home. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the residents of the home, and they stated the potential defendant, Tori Bateman, came into their home, unplugged their cameras, and took the cameras along with several other items belonging to them. Officers were able to contact the defendant, and recover some of the stolen items for the residents. These items totaled in excess of one thousand dollars.
The defendant was interviewed under Miranda, and she stated the residents were behind on rent. The defendant said she entered the home to do a walkthrough, and it appeared the residents were moving out. The defendant stated, “Obviously I know taking the stuff wasn’t right, I guess. I mean it wasn’t.” The defendant advised she intended to take the property and hold it for thirty days or until the rent was paid.

I hereby certify that the above are facts that were found to exist during my investigation and would establish probable cause for arrest.

Detective Corporal Christopher R. Wynn PD40