Man gets 30 years for storage unit thefts
A repeat offender accepted a 30-year sentence Wednesday for his role in thefts from units at an area storage business.
Curtis Edward Bates, 32, appeared before Circuit Judge Carlton Jones with Texarkana lawyer Matt Stephens. Bates agreed to accept a 30-year term for criminal conduct including the theft of more than $100,000 worth of sports memorabilia. The punishment range Bates faced was enhanced because of multiple prior felony convictions.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Bates and others cut locks, ransacked and emptied units Nov. 18, 2016, to Nov. 22, 2016, at C & C Mini-Storage. Customers reported items such as pianos, desks, exercise equipment and more were removed from their units.
Bates was identified as a suspect by members of the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department in the course of an investigation which included the use of video surveillance footage from the business.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Black said the felony theft to which Bates agreed to plead guilty is normally punishable by five to 20 years, but as a habitual offender Bates faced an increased punishment range of five to 40 years. Rather than risk receiving the maximum possible sentence, Bates agreed to plead guilty.
Court and prison records show Bates was already serving a 19-year prison sentence for forgery he received in Miller County in October when he agreed to plead guilty to the theft.