BATESVILLE, Ark. — A Harrisburg man is facing two felony charges after allegedly breaking into a Batesville home and stealing a vehicle while the resident was asleep.
Around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Batesville police responded to a reported burglary on Dogwood Drive. Officer Hutton Grace arrived to find that the homeowner, who heard noises around 8 a.m., had initially assumed it was his daughter checking in and went back to sleep. Later, he discovered missing documents, checks, and unusual drinks left around the home. Additionally, two whiteboards were found with cryptic messages reading “Not Scott” and “Got Dirt,” according to court documents.
The homeowner also found that his 2014 Dodge Dart, valued between $1,000 and $5,000, was missing. Shortly afterward, Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy Max Rucker received a report from a resident on Reed Wade Road, stating that a visitor, identified as Steven Christopher Caico, had stopped by discussing conspiracy theories and had left files containing the homeowner’s name. The resident reported that Caico admitted to breaking into the Dogwood Drive home and stealing the vehicle, with intentions to return.
Deputy Rucker soon located the stolen Dodge Dart on White Drive, with Caico and a female passenger inside. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Independence County Detention Center.
Investigators later interviewed the passenger, who revealed that Caico had arrived at her residence in the stolen vehicle. A search of her cellphone, conducted with her consent, uncovered messages reportedly sent to Caico’s girlfriend, referencing the stolen car and the Dogwood Drive residence, along with a photo of the Dodge Dart.
Caico, 28, declined an interview and is currently held at the Independence County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond. He is charged with residential burglary and theft of property. No charges have been filed against the female passenger.
