A Calico Rock man was arrested this morning, February 11, 2025, on numerous charges after fleeing from Izard County authorities into Southern Baxter County in a stolen vehicle.
On February 10th at approximately 3:01 PM, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen truck and trailer, a 1997 Dodge truck and 22 ft. gooseneck trailer, from a residence on Push Mountain Road. The owner of the vehicle later in the day saw his truck being driven on Bosswell Road in Izard County and identified the driver as LEWIE BRANSCUM. Later that same day, BRANSCUM was seen again in the Calico Rock area in the truck, but without the trailer being pulled behind. The trailer was later found abandoned by the U. S. Forestry Service on Twin Creek Road in Baxter County.
Earlier in the morning of February 10th at around 1:00 AM, the Mountain Home Police Department had taken a suspicious person complaint involving a man coming to someone’s door asking for fuel. MHPD located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and escaped. It was later determined that the vehicle in question had been stolen from Izard County, but that was not known at the time.
Today, February 11th, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office located the truck that had been stolen in Baxter County, driven by LEWIE BRANSCUM, and attempted to make a stop on it. Izard County deputies pursued BRANSCUM on Culp Road (Baxter CR 73) into Baxter County. BRANSCUM then turned on Baxter CR 74 and continued to flee. Baxter County deputies responded to the area upon learning of this pursuit at around 10:41 AM. Sheriff’s Corporal Craig Kocka stopped on Baxter CR 74 and concealed his vehicle. He deployed spike strips across the roadway, waiting for BRANSCUM to come past in the stolen vehicle. A short time later, BRANSCUM approached at high speed and struck the spike strips with both front tires. BRANSCUM kept going and was followed by Corporal Kocka. BRANSCUM attempted to turn left (South) on Push Mountain Road. He was not able to make the turn due to both front tires being flat and off the rims. Corporal Kocka was then able to take LEWIE BRANSCUM into custody without further incident.
LEWIE BRANSCUM was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on Baxter County Sheriff’s charges of:
Theft of Motor Vehicle – Felony
Theft of Property (Trailer) – Felony
Reckless Driving – Misdemeanor
Expired Driver License – Misdemeanor
Disregarding Stop Sign – Misdemeanor
Habitual Offender – Penalty Enhancement
BRANSCUM also had an outstanding felony warrant from Izard County, and he will also be facing additional new charges in Izard County. He will be facing additional charges from the City of Mountain Home Police Department as well. He has a $25,000 bond on the Baxter County charges and will appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer at a later date.