Two Men Arrested After Office Fire Incident

Break-In and Theft of Native American Artifacts in Hardy

In a shocking incident that took place in Hardy, Arkansas, two men were arrested after police claimed they broke into an office, stole valuable Native American artifacts and sports memorabilia, and attempted to set the building on fire. The events unfolded over several days, leading to the recovery of some stolen items and the arrest of the suspects.

On June 14, a victim of a break-in at an office on Cope Avenue contacted Sharp County Sheriff’s Deputy Creston Duncan. The victim mentioned that a few days prior, someone had broken into the basement through a window but did not take anything. However, this was just the beginning of a more serious crime.

Several days later, a doorbell camera captured two men breaking into the office at 1:47 a.m. on June 13. The video showed one man cutting a hole in the floor and climbing up into the office, then letting another man in. To avoid being identified, the men used a smartphone with the flashlight on to obscure the camera’s view before turning it off.

According to the victim, the intruders tried to set the office on fire after stealing several items. Officers later found spots on the floor where magazines and other items appeared to have been set ablaze.

The stolen items included:

• A large collection of arrowheads
• A “very expensive” Duck River sword artifact
• An “iron rock mask” from the Cahokia Mounds in St. Louis
• Framed sports jerseys signed by Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, and Julius Erving
• A sports cards collection
• Several Beanie Babies with the victim’s daughter’s name on them

The total value of the stolen goods was estimated at $28,700. The victim provided authentication papers for several of the missing items.

Police identified the suspects as Michael Dawson and Loren Sharp on July 17. Officers went to Loren’s house on Floral Road in Concord to question him. They also planned to search Sharp’s wife, who was on parole.

When they arrived, Sharp ran into the woods but was eventually captured by an officer. During the search, police discovered several items matching the stolen goods in plain view. They left the house to obtain a warrant and, upon their return, seized the stolen property, including several Beanie Babies, a jersey, and some arrowheads.

Sharp admitted to police during a Mirandaized interview that he had broken into and stolen property from the office. He also told officers that Dawson was his accomplice and had taken the majority of the items. Police said the recovered property was worth about $500.

Sharp was arrested and taken into custody.

On July 16, police conducted a Mirandaized interview with Dawson. He admitted to breaking into the building with Sharp and stealing the goods, but claimed “they were put up to the acts,” without providing further explanation to investigators.

Dawson led the police to two houses where he had stashed some of the stolen items. Officers recovered a trash bag full of sports cards, two arrowheads, and “one large Indian artifact.” An anonymous woman later returned two boxes of artifacts on Dawson’s behalf.

Dawson was arrested and charged with arson, criminal mischief, and breaking or entering a building. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to recover stolen property and bring those responsible to justice.