Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Man: Not guilty in Rogers case
Fuentes accused of stealing several items from police car
BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he stole items from a police car.
Sergio Arce Fuentes, 20, is charged with breaking or entering and theft of property, both Class D felonies. He entered the plea Monday at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Fuentes is accused of unlawfully entering an unmarked police car and taking a firearm and other items, according to court documents. He was arrested Aug. 20.
An AR-15 rifle, three loaded magazines, a ballistic vest, handcuffs, a flashlight and shoulder bag were stolen from the unmarked car parked at a Rogers police detective’s residence Aug. 16, according to court documents.
Detectives went to Fuentes’ home on Old Wire Road to ask him about the stolen items, and he denied any knowledge of the crime, according to court documents.
A jail inmate later told detectives Fuentes admitted to him he took the rifle from the unmarked car, the probable cause affidavit states. Police received a tip Aug. 20 Fuentes intended to sell the AR15 for $500, according to the affidavit.
Police were able to monitor the transaction where a man gave Fuentes $500 and a woman put the rifle in the back of the man’s vehicle, the affidavit states.
Police later stopped the man and recovered the rifle and three magazines, the affidavit states.
An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 31.
Fuentes could be sentenced up to six years for each charge if convicted.