A person involved in two burglaries earlier this year at Wilson’s Pharmacy at Southside has been charged in Independence County Circuit Court.
The court information filed Friday afternoon shows suspects from outside the area, came into Independence County on two occasions, and broke into the pharmacy, taking narcotics and other items.
The suspects were known to be members of a “gang” that targeted pharmacies, located on the outskirts of towns, and were looking for specific narcotics. The investigation into the burglaries was conducted by the Independence County Sheriff’s Department.
Charged Friday was Jameka Shamille Baker, 40. The court record said the gang members, led by Baker, burglarized Wilson’s Pharmacy twice — on April 18, 2020, and May 19, 2020.
The gang is also suspected in pharmacy break-ins in Bald Knob, Arkadelphia, and other towns in the state. Both burglaries at Wilson’s Pharmacy were done by some of the same gang members who were looking for specific narcotics, including Promethazine with codeine syrup.
Store video, video from other sources, as well as information and cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Arkadelphia and Monticello helped solve the burglaries.
Authorities say it was also determined through the investigation and interviews done by the Independence County Sheriff’s Department that on April 18, 2020, Richard “Black” Johnson and Marc Abraham, were the two subjects who entered Wilson’s Pharmacy with Baker as the vehicle operator and lookout.
And in the burglary of May 19, 2020, it has been determined that Richard “Black” Johnson was the lone subject who entered the business with Baker as the vehicle operator and lookout, the court information noted.
Both times entry was made by using cinder blocks to break out storefront glass.
Baker has been charged with two counts of commercial burglary. She is also being charged under the Habitual Offender Act. It was noted in the court information that Baker has been previously convicted of four or more felonies.
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