Two Charged After Disabled SUV Towed From Jonesboro Lot, Sold for Scrap

JONESBORO, Ark. — Two people face felony theft charges after police said a disabled Nissan Pathfinder left overnight in a business parking lot was towed away, sold to a recycling yard for $433.20 and crushed before detectives could recover it.

Ronnie Lee Hicks and Lindsay L. Baker are each charged with theft of a vehicle valued at more than $1,000 but no more than $5,000, a Class D felony, according to probable cause affidavits filed in Craighead County.

Jonesboro police received a report about the missing vehicle July 15. The owner told investigators the Pathfinder became disabled July 12 in the parking lot of a business on North Culberhouse Street. The owner left it there overnight because of mechanical problems and discovered it missing the following day.

Detectives reviewed Flock license-plate reader data that allegedly showed the Pathfinder being towed July 13 by a white Chevrolet Silverado. The investigation led police to Baker, whom they identified as the truck’s driver.

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Investigators also reviewed LeadsOnline transaction records showing Hicks sold the Pathfinder to Kings Recycling on July 13 for $433.20, according to the affidavits.

When detectives went to the recycling yard July 16 to recover the vehicle, employees told them it had already been crushed.

After being advised of her Miranda rights, Baker reportedly told investigators that Ladarius Lee asked her to tow what he described as his vehicle because he could not tow it himself. Baker admitted driving the Silverado and towing the Pathfinder to Kings Recycling, according to police.

Baker said she remained in the truck while Hicks handled the transaction because he knew employees at the recycling yard. She told investigators Hicks received $433.20, kept approximately $200 and gave the remaining money to Lee.

Police said surveillance footage from the recycling yard and the North Culberhouse area showed Baker, Hicks and Lee present and actively participating in the Pathfinder’s removal and transport to the recycling yard.

The records reviewed for this story did not include a charge against Lee.

District Judge David Boling set Hicks’ bond at $25,000 cash or surety and Baker’s bond at $7,500 cash or surety. Both are scheduled to return to court Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Hicks and Baker are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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