Bella Vista's Stober Hearing Set For February

BENTONVILLE — A February pretrial hearing is set for Benton County’s former public service administrator.

Scott Stober of Bella Vista is charged with theft of property, a Class D felony, and theft of property, a Class C felony. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is free on $2,500 bond.

Stober, who oversaw the Road Department, was arrested July 30. He later resigned.

Stober’s case was on Circuit Judge Robin Green’s docket for Friday where he was given a Feb. 18 pretrial hearing. A jury trial date has not been scheduled.

Joel Huggins, Stober’s attorney, declined to comment on the case Friday.

Stober is accused of using county money to purchase parts from JAB Truck Transmission and Differential Co. to rebuild the rear differential on his truck. The parts cost $1,487. He also is accused of using county money to buy tires and wood to build a deck to his home, according to court documents. He is also accused of using county money to paint his home, according to court documents.

He also is accused of stealing a welder and water storage tank, along with piping valued at more than $5,000 from Walter Ericksen, according to court documents.

Two other former Road Department employees also were arrested in connection with suspected wrongdoings in the department.

Jackie Dale Brown, 50, of Rogers is charged with theft of property, a Class C felony; theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor; and obstructing governmental operations, a Class C misdemeanor. Grant McCracken, 42, of Fayetteville is charged with accomplice to theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor. Brown and McCracken were arrested Aug. 10. Brown was released from jail on $2,500 bond. McCracken was released on citation.

Brown and McCracken have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Brown, a county road superintendent, resigned following his arrest. McCracken, interim director of the Road Department, was fired. Brown is accused of stealing more than $5,000 in taxpayer money to pay for personal expenses and also stealing money from the sale of county property to Rogers Iron and Metal, according to court documents.

The theft of services charge involves an accusation Brown directed other Road Department employees to spend eight hours on his land planting trees while they were being paid with taxpayer money.

The misdemeanor charge against McCracken involves a claim he aided Stober in committing theft by picking up lumber from Ridout Lumber and transporting the material to Stober’s home.

The cases involving Brown and McCracken have not been resolved.

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