ROGERS — Two Garfield men were in the Benton County Jail on Wednesday in connection with a series of criminal acts over the weekend, sheriff’s officials said.
Gary Jeffrey Miller Jr., 19, of 15990 Gann Ridge Road was arrested Tuesday in connection with two counts of felony first-degree criminal mischief. Miller was being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.
Jeremy Lynn Roberts, 18, of 15604 Cornith Road was arrested Tuesday in connection with nine counts of misdemeanor first-degree criminal mischief and one count of felony first-degree criminal mischief. Roberts was being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.
The two men admitted to killing livestock and a dog, running over mailboxes and vandalizing a truck, said Audrey Thompson, an investigator with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.
The incidents occurred in the Pea Ridge area.
“Pea Ridge police called us and said they had a witness,” Thompson said Wednesday. “After several denials, the two confessed after being told about the witness.”
Thompson said Roberts was driving Miller’s truck when they stopped and Miller shot three cows, killing one.
Roberts shot one cow, killing it, Thompson said.
Both of the dead cows were pregnant, she added. The cattle were shot in the head and neck area with a .223-caliber rifle.
Miller also shot a dog and Roberts ran over it, Thompson said.
The duo also ran over seven to 10 mailboxes by their account and vandalized a truck, authorities said.
“They offered no reason, no excuses and showed no remorse for their actions,” Thompson said.
Authorities are considering adding a charge of felony cruelty to animals because a dog was killed, Thompson said.
Thompson said Arkansas’ felony cruelty to animals law only addresses cats, dogs and horses.