On July 16, 2024 Deputy D.J. Tiernan took a burglary, theft, and criminal mischief report at a residence in Scenic Acres in Horseshoe Bend.
The victim stated he had been out of town for a while and had returned today to find the house had been broken into and items missing. Inside the residence, the ceiling had been ripped down with the copper wiring missing as well as copper plumping fixtures. The air conditioner had also been torn apart and items missing.
Deputy Tiernan spoke with the neighbors and learned that Joseph Cruz was seen with a blanket over his head, that the victim was able to identify. The witness stated Cruz had appeared to have copper pipes and parts of an air conditioner in his hands. Security camera footage was obtained from the witness. A check of local salvage yards was done. Records showed Cruz had sold copper and items that matched that of parts from an air conditioner on July 12.
On July 17, 2024 the victim in the case notified deputies that the suspect had come back and taken more items and was on camera doing so. A short time later, investigators observed Cruz standing near another residence on Scenic Circle, which is in close proximity to the victim’s house. Cruz was detained and during this time investigators observed, in plain sight, items that Cruz was seen carrying in the surveillance photos. Investigators also smelled a strong odor of marijuana at the residence. Due to items observed in plain sight and the smell of marijuana, a search warrant was applied for and granted. The occupants of the house were secured, to include the homeowner, Christina Johnson.
During the execution of the search warrant, numerous items that were reported stolen from the victim were recovered. Marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia were also located inside the home.
As a result, Christina Johnson, 59 of Horseshoe Bend, was charged in the Izard County Circuit Court with possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug premises, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Joseph Cruz, 40 of Horseshoe Bend, was charged in the Izard County Circuit Court with two counts of residential burglary, theft of property, theft of a firearm, criminal mischief, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.