Burglary Suspect Identified in Video Showing Refrigerator Carried From Home

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man faces residential burglary and drug charges after an investigator identified him as one of two people shown carrying a refrigerator from an unoccupied Craighead County residence, according to court records.

Shawn Michael McGarrh, 44, faces residential burglary, a Class B felony; possession of methamphetamine or cocaine, less than 2 grams, a Class D felony; and felony possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony.

District Judge Tommy Fowler set a $75,000 cash-or-surety bond in each case and ordered the bonds to run concurrently. McGarrh was appointed a public defender and ordered to return to court Sept. 30.

The investigation began Aug. 1 when deputies responded to a residence that was unoccupied and undergoing work, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Investigators said someone entered through an opening at the rear of the residence where a window air-conditioning unit had previously been installed.

A television, PlayStation, Xbox, gaming computer and digital camera were reported stolen from inside. An air-conditioning unit, window unit and electrical meter box were taken from outside, and a vehicle parked on the property had been moved, the affidavit said.

No suspects had been identified when the initial report was taken. The homeowner subsequently installed surveillance cameras outside the residence.

On Aug. 4, the homeowner contacted deputies after the cameras photographed a blue, four-door Hyundai returning to the property. Investigators noted what appeared to be a burn mark on the vehicle’s front passenger-side fender.

A deputy searched for the vehicle through the Flock system and located a license plate associated with it, according to the affidavit. The vehicle information returned to McGarrh.

The deputy went to an address associated with McGarrh and reported finding the same vehicle parked outside.

A search of the Leads Online database showed McGarrh had sold scrap metal that appeared to have come from air-conditioning units, along with a catalytic converter, the affidavit alleged.

The investigator returned to the property and found that a vehicle parked there was missing its catalytic converter.

The homeowner reported another theft Aug. 12 after a refrigerator was taken from inside the residence.

Video reportedly showed two people carrying the refrigerator, with one of them falling while moving it. The investigator identified McGarrh as one of the two people, although the affidavit does not specify whether he was the person who fell.

Deputies went to McGarrh’s residence Aug. 14 to serve a felony arrest warrant for residential burglary.

Because McGarrh was on probation, deputies searched the residence and reported finding approximately 1.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine and a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine inside a nightstand.

The affidavits do not indicate whether any of the stolen property was recovered or identify the second person shown in the refrigerator video.

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