UPDATE: Nov. 11, 2020 — 9:00 a.m.: A previous version of this story stated Canard’s wife was taken into custody at the time he was. His wife was taken into custody later, was interviewed, and was released, according to authorities. We have updated that information in the story. No charges have been filed against her.
One other update: Sheriff Shawn Stephens told White River Now’s Gary Bridgman this morning that further charges related to this case could be filed in circuit court.
A man, living in Desha, but with an address in Pleasant Plains, has been charged in Independence County Circuit Court with theft of property and theft by receiving.
The court documents say Michael Edward Canard, 30, on Nov. 2, went to a closed business in the northern part of Independence County and stole a car-hauler trailer.
The Independence County Sheriff’s Department obtained video footage from the business that showed a black Ford F150 backing to the trailer, attaching it, and exiting the premises, the court information says. The stolen trailer was located in Springdale, Ark.
The court record said on the same date, Nov. 2, Chief Aaron Moody discovered a stolen Delta construction trailer, described as a 2018 Delta tilt-bed trailer, at a residence that Canard frequents in Desha.
Authorities said the trailer had been stolen from Craighead County and is valued at $4,000. Both charges are felonies since the value of the stolen properties, in each case, is more than $1,000.
The court information said Canard is being charged as a habitual offender since he has previously been convicted of four or more felonies.
The circuit court document said on Nov. 5, Newport Police Department officers located Canard’s truck outside a residence in Newport. Michael Canard and his wife were inside the residence where Canard was taken into custody.
An audio and video interview was conducted with Canard by the Independence County Sheriff’s Department. Canard denied any involvement with the stolen property.
His bail was set at $15,000.
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