On burglary charge
A felony arrest warrant has been issued for a Vian woman, who was charged on Oct. 12 with felony burglary in the second degree.
Jennifer G. Barnes, 46, could face up to seven years imprisonment if found guilty of the charge. Her bond has been set at $7,500, according to court documents.
Vian Police officer Kaitlyn Sanders reported at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, that she was contacted by Officer McLaughlin to assist in clearing a vacant residence on Blackstone Street.
While securing the location, a man approached the officers and stated that a male and female had reportedly just walked up the driveway to another vacant residence. Sanders said she heard what sounded like a “crashing noise” coming from inside a shop, drew her weapon, announced police presence and asked whomever it was to come out with their hands up.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a male began walking out of the building while hollering at a female to “also come outside.” They were then identified as Barnes and Daniel Dod, 36.
Dod alleged they were looking at the property because there was a for sale sign on it, and they were looking to buy a residence to “fix up.” Dod also said he’d walked inside a vacant trailer located across the street from the residence they were at, according to the affidavit. Both Dod and Barnes were then released from the scene.
After further investigation, the officers found the residence was actually located on W. Lee Street and there was no for sale sign there. Sanders also reported finding five bicycles outside the shop that were originally in a back building.
A witness told police they saw a man and woman carrying large bags of items from the area during the early morning hours, and they were walking between houses and avoiding roads, according to the affidavit. The witness said they followed Barnes and Dod to the El Siesta motel in Vian, where they saw them walk into the first room.
Around 10:30 p.m., Sanders said someone pulled up next to her police unit and told her there was a man at the El Siesta screaming “that he wanted his money back.” However, when police arrived, they could not find the man and no one reported hearing any screaming.
Sanders said she was requested to go back to the El Siesta to look over some bicycles after Barnes and Dod reportedly took them to a man that resided there, after they had been caught in the building earlier on.
According to the affidavit, there were seven bicycles inside the building but only four had been removed and were placed outside. Another was reportedly found in tall grass outside the residence.
The following afternoon, Sanders and Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins went to the El Siesta to speak with Barnes and Dod, but they were unable to locate them. The officers reported removing two mountain bikes from the motel and logged them as evidence.
Barnes is described as caucasian, 5 ft. 8 inches tall, 115 pounds, with blond or strawberry blond hair, and blue eyes. Anyone having any information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact authorities.
