In late 2023 and early 2024 the Pocahontas Police Department began receiving calls in reference to flowers being stolen from grave sites. Pocahontas Police Department Investigators began proactive patrols to identify the individual or individuals responsible.
After a period of time, Investigators were able to develop a pattern of the suspect. The Pocahontas Police, with the help of a local flower shop, bought multiple arrangements and placed them throughout the city.
What the suspect didn’t know, the Pocahontas Police embedded GPS devices in all of the arrangements. It wasn’t long, and the GPS device was on the move. On 4/9/2024 the Pocahontas Police followed the device to a residence in the city limits of Pocahontas.
Post Miranda, Investigators retrieved their GPS device and made an arrest. The Pocahontas Police is asking anyone that may have had flowers stolen from a grave site between 12/1/2023 – 4/9/2024 to contact the department at 870-892-9867. The Pocahontas Police is attempting to locate victims and seek restitution on their behalf.
Thank you to everyone who was involved with this operation.
At the conclusion of the investigation Pocahontas PD charged Katherine Martin, age 52 of Pocahontas with misdemeanor theft of property. Martin was booked into the Randolph County Detention Center on 4/9/2024.
