A Fulton County man is in custody after allegedly breaking into multiple vehicles in Mountain Home, marking his 18th felony arrest. Tyler Joe Wheeler, 36, of Salem, is being held in the Baxter County Detention Center with bond set at $50,000 on the latest charges.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Mountain Home Police Department, officers responded to a report of vehicle break-ins early Sunday morning at Cardinal Apartments on Cardinal Drive. Upon arrival, officers spotted Wheeler, who fled on foot toward Oak Tree Mobile Home Park. Officers pursued him, and after deploying a Taser, they were able to take Wheeler into custody.
Back at the scene, police discovered multiple piles of miscellaneous property and determined that seven vehicles had been broken into. Items reported stolen included a firearm, tools, and other belongings. One truck had its toolbox broken into and damaged, while its door speakers were ripped out and the radio stolen.
Wheeler faces seven felony counts of breaking or entering, one felony count of theft of property, misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and fleeing, and a habitual offender penalty enhancement. In addition to the charges in this case, Wheeler is being held on a parole violation and for non-payment of fines, bringing his total bond to $51,385.
Court records show that Wheeler has an extensive criminal history. He has been arrested 17 times previously for felonies in Arkansas, beginning in Fulton County in 2012, with the other arrests occurring in Baxter County. His prior charges include possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, forgery, theft of property, criminal mischief, terroristic threatening, possession of drug paraphernalia, shoplifting, and several traffic-related offenses. He has served time in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and the Baxter County Detention Center and has also been sentenced to probation.
Authorities have not released further details on the ongoing investigation.