A Cave City man was arrested after allegedly breaking into a woman’s car in Horseshoe Bend while not wearing pants and later found wearing the victim’s necklace. The incident occurred late Wednesday night, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the victim called to report a man had broken into her car. When a deputy arrived, he found 46-year-old Timothy E. Strain in the vehicle, reportedly zipping up his pants. Strain told the deputy he was searching for his wallet and medication. Initially, he claimed his brother was driving the car, but later altered his statement, saying his brother had dropped him off and that he did not know his location.
When another deputy arrived to transport the suspect to Izard County Jail, Strain was noticed wearing what appeared to be a woman’s necklace. Deputies later confirmed with the victim that the necklace belonged to her. The victim stated she had recently paid $1,000 in parts and labor to have the necklace repaired. The clasp on the necklace was found broken.
Strain faces one felony charge of breaking or entering and two misdemeanor charges: first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. He is being held at the Izard County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Court documents reveal Strain has a criminal history, including two prior felony arrests. In a 2023 case in Sharp County, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a family or household member after a domestic dispute. An accompanying charge of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor was dropped as part of a plea deal, and Strain was sentenced to four years of probation. In 2014, he was charged with driving while intoxicated and third-degree assault in Lewis County, Missouri. He pleaded guilty to both charges, serving jail sentences of 60 days for assault and 30 days for the DWI, in addition to receiving two years of probation for each count.